Declining since 1986, #198 for girls today.
Popularity of Sara since 1880
Babies named Sara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,127 |
| 1890s | 3,119 |
| 1900s | 4,210 |
| 1910s | 15,409 |
| 1920s | 21,101 |
| 1930s | 18,261 |
| 1940s | 20,275 |
| 1950s | 20,491 |
| 1960s | 23,044 |
| 1970s | 56,958 |
| 1980s | 104,682 |
| 1990s | 72,170 |
| 2000s | 44,056 |
| 2010s | 20,732 |
| 2020s | 9,558 |
Meaning & origin
Sara is a gentle, classic name that has been a consistent presence in American naming for over a century. In 2025, it held rank 198, with about 1 in every 1025 baby girls given the name. Its peak popularity came in 1981, when it reached higher rankings, but it has been gradually falling since 1986. Sara is most popular in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Despite its decline, the name remains familiar and well-loved, a testament to its biblical roots and international appeal. Its meaning, 'princess', resonates with many parents, and its simplicity makes it a timeless choice.
Sara is a variant of Sarah, which derives from the Hebrew name שרה (Sarai), meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman'. In the Bible, Sarah was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, and her name was changed from Sarai to Sarah as a sign of the covenant. The spelling Sara has been used in many languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and Scandinavian, often as a simple form of Sarah. It has remained consistently popular across cultures and centuries.
Where Sara is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sara” around the world
Where Sara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
290
babies in 2024
Ireland
37
babies in 2025
New Zealand
15
babies in 2025
Quebec
43
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Sara
Names that share Sara's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Rachel, Leah, Rebecca, Hannah, Miriam, Katrina, Aarna, Adira, Akshara, Aya, Dina, Layan, Leia, Malak, Mayra, Noa, Rawan, Reva, Riya, Tera, Aarya, Anel, Anvi, Arwa, Faigy, Haneen, Huda, Ilah, Leen, Mahi, Neda, Nour, Rania, Razan, Reema, Roya, Sanvi, Sima, Sina, Tammara, Tomi, Aarvi, Aasha, Aashi, Ajla, Ama, Amaira, Amel, Ameya, Ariam, Aryam, Aviya, Breindy, Deema, Fara, Hadeel, Israa, Jarah, Joud, Layal, Lejla, Lira, Manar, Mauri, Meghana, Meron, Mikia, Mushka, Pria, Risha, Ruba, Ruchel, Rut, Seena, Seriyah, Tira, Vaani, Viha, Yumna, Zehra, Zeina, Zoha, Afrah, Arohi, Arushi, Aune, Bana, Belem, Charvi, Darah, Dariya, Darrah, Deeksha, Devra, Elaf, Esraa, Hava, Izara, Jaisa, Jwan, Karem, Karrin, Kritika, Mahek, Manasa, Marae, Mehr, Mihika, Nainika, Nara, Neya, Reham, Remas, Renad, Retaj, Sanari, Thara, Tomia, Warda, Yaiza, Yena, Ditya, Aditri, Ameka, Apoorva, Aryaa, Aryahi, Carrah, Chavie, Doha, Eiman, Etana, Farin, Farra, Iasha, Jaena, Jaria, Jhana, Kayal, Khalis, Navina, Neera, Piya, Prapti, Reeta, Riham, Rim, Sabrie, Saesha, Shaily, Sharvi, Tamrah, Zuha
Brothers: David, Daniel, Michael, Benjamin, Joseph, Ruben, Adnan, Anas, Arjun, Dhruv, Dovid, Jai, Roosevelt, Tzvi, Ved, Vikram, Yitzchok, Zain, Ajay, Arik, Arman, Binyomin, Blas, Enoc, Eron, Ishan, Ivaan, Kiaan, Mazen, Oziel, Parth, Shlomo, Shulem, Taren, Yamil, Yash, Yazan, Aaditya, Aariv, Aarnav, Akshat, Amine, Anuj, Avan, Avin, Chirag, Daryan, Ehab, Emon, Ericson, Firas, Ghaith, Hamdan, Kavish, Laksh, Majd, Manu, Milad, Naftoli, Nataniel, Neev, Nizar, Pau, Pier, Raed, Rivaan, Shah, Shlok, Sohan, Srihan, Tonny, Virat, Vyom, Zayed, Ziad, Zohaib, Aadhav, Abhi, Adhrit, Admir, Ajdin, Alireza, Amer, Anshul, Arkan, Aryaan, Ashan, Ashur, Atul, Bran, Deep, Dovber, Eashan, Gumaro, Hridhaan, Isam, Jiyaan, Kiron, Makar, Manases, Matin, Mayank, Mikaeel, Moishy, Nawaf, Paco, Ramar, Reyhan, Rishik, Rithik, Riyansh, Robel, Romir, Ruhan, Rushil, Schneur, Soham, Vansh, Wesam, Yago, Zalman, Zubin, Jash, Aarsh, Aarvik, Adharv, Anes, Avrumy, Baraa, Chino, Dhairya, Emaad, Galo, Harshiv, Haytham, Hilal, Ishaaq, Ishir, Jaran, Kaushal, Kayvan, Khalin, Kiren, Lakshya, Manvik, Meba, Mir, Mohannad, Muhanad, Nalan, Nehan, Radin, Raihan, Rayane, Rishiv, Romin, Saahas, Saber, Samil, Savan, Serapio, Sharvin, Shloimy, Suhan, Tirth, Vidit, Vinayak, Yassir
Names like Sara
Names whose popularity has moved with Sara's over the last 50 years.
