[name_m]Just[/name_m] wondering…
I’m looking for inspiration because [name_f]Esther[/name_f] is currently my favorite girl name, and I want to find more names like her. 
TIA!
[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Esther[/name_f]! She feels clunky-cool to me, feminine but not frilly. Practical and no-nonsense. Prime associations are the biblical [name_f]Esther[/name_f] and [name_f]Esther[/name_f] Summerson from [name_u]Charles[/name_u] Dickens’ Bleak House.
[name_f]Edith[/name_f], [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], [name_f]Helen[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f], [name_f]Irene[/name_f], [name_u]Joan[/name_u], [name_u]Louise[/name_u], [name_u]Marion[/name_u], [name_f]Maude[/name_f], [name_f]Susan[/name_f], [name_u]Anne[/name_u], [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
This is, I think, part of the reason I initially fell in love with the name! Such a great character and one of my favorite Dickens books. 
)I also think of [name_f]Judy[/name_f] Garland’s character in Meet Me In St. [name_m]Louis[/name_m] !
[name_f]Esther[/name_f] sounds feminine, assertive, a bit dressy and poised rather than casual, but warm and approachable too
I love [name_f]Esther[/name_f] 
It feels like a sunny name, happy and bright. Has a strong cottagecore element; I think of heirloom dresses, walking through tall grass, homemade muffins. As a former Hebrew school teacher, I do enjoy the story of [name_f]Esther[/name_f] (which for me is a plus without being too explicitly religious). I also remember reading This [name_f]Star[/name_f] Won’t Go Out about [name_f]Esther[/name_f] [name_u]Earl[/name_u] when I was in middle school, in the book they use the “star” meaning of her name throughout.
I think, with [name_f]Esther[/name_f], you can go in a few different directions while still having a good match. Monopolizing on the clunky/hipster aspect with [name_f]Agnes[/name_f] or [name_f]Maud[/name_f], the religious aspect with [name_f]Miriam[/name_f] or [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], the old-fashioned/vintage aspect with [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] or [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f].
As a sister for [name_f]Esther[/name_f], I’m drawn to [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]. They both feel put together while maintaining their youth and fun – imagine [name_f]Essie[/name_f] + [name_f]Greta[/name_f], [name_f]Esti[/name_f] + [name_f]Margo[/name_f], [name_f]Essie[/name_f] + [name_f]Maggie[/name_f].
Other names I like with [name_f]Esther[/name_f]
[name_f]Agnes[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_u]Marion[/name_u], [name_u]Marian[/name_u], and [name_f]Marianne[/name_f] (they each have different vibes to me but each complements [name_f]Esther[/name_f] in her own way)
[name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Susannah[/name_f]
[name_f]Tabitha[/name_f]
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f]
A little stars because of the meaning, a lot old school vintage because of the style, but mostly I think of my great grandma who was smart, strong, sassy, stubborn and took absolutely zero sh*t from anyone so I guess “Vintage with an Attitude” would be the short answer.
[name_f]Estelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Stella[/name_f]
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f]
[name_u]Aster[/name_u]
[name_f]Ingrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Hester[/name_f]
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f]
[name_f]Agnes[/name_f]
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Sybil[/name_f]
[name_u]Meredith[/name_u]
[name_f]Judith[/name_f]
[name_f]Greta[/name_f]
[name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]
[name_f]Winifred[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelda[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsy[/name_f]
[name_u]Louise[/name_u]
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f]
I’m already a mama to one. And she’s as girly girl as they come. [name_u]Love[/name_u] of make up, style, girly sass, but also incredibly sweet natured, funny and full of grace so that’s all I picture. However with brothers both older and younger she definitely has an love for the mud, outdoors and a good time.
Not at all. I can totally get the kind of vibe you’re talking about there. I can’t explain it either, yet it does make sense! 
Yes! Love this association, too. (I’m honestly a fan of pretty much any character played by Judy Garland!)
I definitely agree. It’s a meaningful story, and Queen Esther is a great female role model!
So true! I really do love how versatile she can be!
And I love your suggestion of Margaret as a sister name!
I love that! 
How sweet! I love hearing about a little Esther irl.
[name_f]Esther[/name_f] gives me a warm and cosy feel - a sort of hug of a name, friendly with a gentle strength. It’s starry and sophisticated but not in an aloof or mystical way, but grounded and lovely.
Some names that give me the same vibes: [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], [name_u]June[/name_u], [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_f]Bonnie[/name_f], [name_f]Enid[/name_f], [name_f]Ruthie[/name_f], [name_f]Bethel[/name_f], [name_f]Betsy[/name_f], [name_f]Lois[/name_f]
I love [name_f]Esther[/name_f]! She’s nature-y and scholarly, stately and fun! A very peaceful and pious seeming name with enough kick to ground her.
These are the spunky and serene styles I imagine on a little [name_f]Esther[/name_f] 
Similar names might be…
[name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] and [name_f]Luella[/name_f]
[name_f]Belle[/name_f]
[name_f]Nell[/name_f]
[name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f]
[name_f]Elspeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
[name_u]Florence[/name_u]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Beulah[/name_f]
[name_f]Maude[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruthie[/name_f]
I love the name Esther! I get classic ballerina vibes from this; feminine but not frilly, with such sweet nicknames like Essie and Esti!
Helen, Joanna, Flora, Ruth, Diana, Susan, Anne, Margaret