Astra

History & Origin

Astra derives from the Latin and Greek word for 'star' (astrum in Latin, astron in Greek). The related Greek goddess Astraea was the goddess of justice and the last immortal to leave Earth, ascending to become the constellation Virgo. The word roots appear in numerous English terms including astronomy, astrology, asteroid, and disaster (from Italian disastro, bad star).

As a given name, Astra has been used in English-speaking countries since at least the 19th century, and gained wider popularity in the 20th century alongside interest in space exploration. The Space Age of the 1950s–70s sparked renewed interest in cosmic names. Today Astra benefits from the broader trend toward celestial names, sharing company with Stella, Luna, Nova, and Aurora as a starry choice for girls.