Rising since 1989, #2,941 for boys today.
Popularity of Sahib since 1985
Babies named Sahib per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sahib's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 | 60 |
| 2000s | 5 | 175 |
| 2010s | 24 | 352 |
| 2020s | 32 | 206 |
Meaning & origin
Sahib is a rare but steadily rising name for boys in the United States, first recorded on the Social Security list in 1985. As of 2025, it ranks 2941 and is given to roughly 1 in 40,668 newborn boys. The name reached its peak popularity in 2025, reflecting a gradual upward trend that began around 1989. It is most popular in California and New York. The name's meaning shifts from a simple 'companion' in classical Arabic to an honorific 'lord' in Persian and Urdu contexts, giving it a dignified air without feeling heavy. Sahib remains uncommon enough to feel distinctive, and its straightforward pronunciation makes it accessible across cultures.
Derived from Arabic 'sahib' (صاحب) meaning 'companion' or 'friend', later extended to 'lord' or 'master' as a title of respect. It entered Persian and Urdu, where it is used as an honorific. In South Asia, 'Sahib' became a colonial-era term for European gentlemen, but the name retains its original noble connotations.
Where Sahib is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sahib” around the world
Where Sahib lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
19
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sahib, Sabi
Variants: Saheb
Sibling names for Sahib
Names that share Sahib's style, for a brother or sister.
