Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Sarah
GirlHebrew· “princess”
- Meaning
- princess
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SAIR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #90
- US babies 2025
- 2,710
- Best rank
- #3 (1993)
- Peak year
- 1982
Meaning and origin of Sarah
Sarah is a Hebrew name that means “princess”.
Sarah comes from Hebrew and means princess. In the Book of Genesis, Sarai is renamed Sarah when she and Abraham are promised descendants, and she becomes the mother of Isaac. That story made the name a steady choice among Jewish and Christian families for centuries, and Puritan settlers carried it widely through the English-speaking world. It has rarely felt dated because it never went fully out of use. The name is simple to spell, easy to say in many languages, and works for every stage of life. Sadie began as its pet form and is now a name in its own right.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sara, Cera, Serra.
Popularity over time
Sarah has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #3 in 1993, and the most babies received it in 1982, when 28,483 were named Sarah. In 2025, 2,710 babies were named Sarah, and it ranked #90 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #50 in 1920, #88 in 1950, #5 in 1980, #5 in 2000, #26 in 2010, and #90 in 2025. Of the 1,098,498 US girls named Sarah since records began, 25% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 224,423 babies. Since 2010, 63,601 more have been named Sarah.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Crystal, Rebecca, Erin, Andrea, and Kristin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sarah ranked highest in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #17 | 390 |
| New Jersey | #31 | 173 |
| Maryland | #64 | 56 |
| Florida | #65 | 235 |
| Vermont | #74 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Sarah is usually pronounced SAIR-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-ah”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sara, Cera, and Serra.
Middle names for Sarah
A few middle names that flow with Sarah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sarah
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Lists that include Sarah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sarah mean?
Sarah is a Hebrew name that means “princess”.
What is the origin of the name Sarah?
Sarah has Hebrew roots. Sarah comes from Hebrew and means princess.
Is Sarah a popular name?
Yes. Sarah ranked #90 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Sarah a boy or girl name?
Sarah is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Sarah?
Sarah is usually pronounced SAIR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings