Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Sterling
BoyEnglish· “genuine, of high quality”
- Meaning
- genuine, of high quality
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- STUR-lihng
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #346
- US babies 2025
- 944
- Best rank
- #308 (1895)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Sterling
Sterling is an English name that is usually said to mean “genuine, of high quality”.
Sterling began as the name of an English silver penny in the Middle Ages, and the word later came to mean silver of a guaranteed standard, and then anything of excellent quality. Its deeper origin is uncertain, though one common theory ties it to a word for little star, from the star shapes on some early coins. As a surname it may also come from Stirling in Scotland. As a first name, Sterling suggests reliability and polish. It has a smooth, confident sound and a slightly classic feel, suited to both a child and an adult, and it needs no nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Stirling.
Famous parents who chose Sterling: Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes (2021). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Sterling 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 #308 in 1895, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 944 were named Sterling. In 2025, 944 babies were named Sterling, and it ranked #346 nationally. That is 59% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #374 in 1920, #422 in 1950, #550 in 1980, #569 in 2000, #755 in 2010, and #346 in 2025. Of the 37,474 US boys named Sterling since records began, 15% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 5,036 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Wells, Ibrahim, Rhys, Santino, and Kade.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sterling ranked highest in South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #115 | 12 |
| Montana | #143 | 10 |
| Nebraska | #207 | 13 |
| Washington | #217 | 37 |
| Kentucky | #220 | 26 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 84% of US babies named Sterling over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Sterling is usually pronounced STUR-lihng, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with S and ends in “-ng”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Stirling.
Middle names for Sterling
A few middle names that flow with Sterling: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sterling
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Lists that include Sterling
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sterling mean?
Sterling is an English name that is usually said to mean “genuine, of high quality”.
What is the origin of the name Sterling?
Sterling has English roots. Sterling began as the name of an English silver penny in the Middle Ages, and the word later came to mean silver of a guaranteed standard, and then anything of excellent quality.
Is Sterling a popular name?
Yes. Sterling ranked #346 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Sterling a boy or girl name?
Sterling is mainly a boy's name. About 84% of US babies named Sterling over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Sterling?
Sterling is usually pronounced STUR-lihng. 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