Stella in Chinese
Stella in Chinese is 斯特拉 (Sī Tè Lā).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- star
The name traces back to Latin sources, where it is usually explained as "star". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Stella
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
斯特拉
Sī Tè Lā
The standard transliteration of Stella: 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"), 特 (tè, "special, particular"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 2-syllable English name is spread over 3 characters: 斯 sī + 特 tè + 拉 lā. The tone contour is 1-4-1 (high level, falling, high level).
Character breakdown
30 strokes total (simplified)- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
- 特
tè
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
special, particular
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
月华
Yuè Huá
Inspired by "star": 月 (yuè, "moon") + 华 (huá, "splendid, magnificent; China"), expressing light and brightness.
Why these characters?
The idea of "star" behind Stella is rendered by 月, "moon"; 华, "splendid, magnificent; China", completes it.
Character breakdown
10 strokes total (simplified)- 月
yuè
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
moon
- 华
huá
Tone 2 · 6 strokes (simplified)
splendid, magnificent; China
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
思晨
Sī Chén
思 (sī, "to think; longing") + 晨 (chén, "morning"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 斯, this uses 思 (sī, "to think; longing") for the "stel" sound, then 晨 ("morning") for meaning.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 思
sī
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
to think; longing
- 晨
chén
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
morning
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Stella
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Stella ranked 45 among names recorded for girls, with 27,117 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 169,530 girls named Stella since 1880, with the high point in 2017 (5,038 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #1046 to #42 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2017
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 169,530
More About Stella in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Stella offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Stella, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Jordyn in Chinese, Carrie in Chinese, and Denise in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Liliana in Chinese, Abby in Chinese, and Susan in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Stella, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Stella to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Stella in Chinese?
斯特拉 (Sī Tè Lā), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Does Stella change in traditional Chinese?
No. 斯特拉 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.
How many strokes does 斯特拉 have?
30 strokes in simplified form; per character: 斯 12, 特 10, 拉 8.