So I’ve just come across the name Ostara and really like it, only it’s not a name most people have heard of by the looks of it.
It’s the Old [name_m]German[/name_m] form of the name of a Germanic goddess of fertility, spring and dawn (Eostre) and is also the name of the pagan holiday that happens at the spring equinox (equivalent of easter).
So, my question is, is it usable? I think it could be as it’s quite similar to many other names. And she would have the possibility of using [name_f]Tara[/name_f] as a nickname if she got sick of people asking where Ostara came from. But what do you guys think?
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Definitely usable! If names like [name_f]Athena[/name_f] are fair game, then Ostara is too.
I really like it. It’s feminine, and historic, and beautiful, with ‘star’ in it, ending in a…lots of qualities I think make for a good name.
This one is an absolute gem in my opinion. It is unusual but not invented, it is similar enough to other common names that it doesn’t sound outlandish, it’s not difficult to spell or pronounce, and you’ve even found a built-in traditional nickname for it! I have nothing negative to say. Ostara is 100% usable.
I think it’s really pretty! A quick google search shows that it is widely used as a name for the holiday (like you said) in [name_m]Pagan[/name_m]/Wiccan communities–not just historically, but still today. So I feel like you’d have to be open to that religious association (not necessarily practicing, but you know, aware of/okay with/consider how it is likely to be perceived) if you used it. But I really love the sound of it, and personally I like the association.
I think its definitely very interesting! Names that unusual are nms but Ostara has a lot of potential. Its got the more contemporary nickname and any name with star in is always lovely.
Thank you all for you responses, I’m so glad you all think it’s usable, it’s making me feel much more confident about it (which is good as it’s fast becoming one of my favourite names!) and the association to the pagan holiday doesn’t bother me at all, in fact I really like it 
My thought exactly. Totally usable. 
Did you end up using it? Since I was 14 I always wanted to use that name, but ended up with 2 boys lol