'Stellaria' originates from Latin, specifically the adjective 'stellaris', where 'stella' meant 'star'.

'Stellaria' was formed as a New Latin botanical genus name based on Latin 'stellaris' and was used in botanical nomenclature (notably by Linnaeus in the 18th century) to name plants with star-shaped flowers.

Initially, it meant 'starry' or 'of the stars', but over time it became the proper name of a genus of plants whose flowers are star-like in shape.