Esfir is the Esther is a name of debated origin, possibly derived from the Persian word for “star” or linked to the goddess Ishtar. In the Hebrew Bible, Esther—originally named Hadassah—was a Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from a genocide plot. The Russian adoption of Esfir likely came through Orthodox Christian veneration of the biblical figure and through cultural exchange with European literary traditions.Notable BearersSeveral notable figures have borne the name Esfir. Esfir Shub (1894–1959) was a pioneering Soviet filmmaker and a key figure in documentary and montage cinema. Esfir Dolzhenko (born Svetlana Krachevskaya), a Soviet athlete who competed in shot put and discus. Others include writer Esfir Buranova, film editor Esfir Tobak, and the Russian-born American illustrator and children's author Esphyr Slobodkina. The variant spellings Esfir (with a ‘y’ replacing a cryllic letter) appears sometimes in Latin transliterations.Cultural SignificanceIn Russian usage, Esfir has strong links to the Jewish tradition due to the biblical holiday of Purim. The name also appears in Russian literature and film, often evoking resilience. It is occasionally shortened to Efir or Effy. The related variant Yesfir is an alternate Russian form, reflecting phonetic shifts. In Western languages close cognates include Ester, Hester, and diminutives all spin off from the common Est / Hes root.Meaning: Possibly “star” (Persian) or a derivative of IshtarOrigin: Hebrew, originally via Persian or AkkadianType: Feminine given nameUsage: Russian, with cognates worldwide