Rising since 1985, #424 for girls today.
Popularity of Sarai since 1953
Babies named Sarai per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sarai's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 115 |
| 1970s | 362 |
| 1980s | 1,199 |
| 1990s | 3,243 |
| 2000s | 6,516 |
| 2010s | 7,209 |
| 2020s | 4,256 |
Meaning & origin
Sarai is a biblical name that has seen a notable resurgence since the 1980s. After first appearing in U.S. records in 1953, it steadily climbed in popularity, reaching its peak rank of 424 in 2023. By 2025, it stood at a frequency of 1 in 2,193 births, reflecting consistent interest from parents seeking a name with scriptural roots. The name's trajectory has been upward for decades, with particular favor in Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, and Louisiana. Its simple structure and regal meaning give it a gentle strength that appeals across many communities. Sarai offers a concise alternative to the more common Sara or Sarah, while maintaining deep cultural significance as the original name of the mother of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Sarai is the original name of the biblical matriarch Sarah, wife of Abraham. In the Hebrew Bible, Sarai is her name before God renames her Sarah as part of the covenant. The name likely derives from the Hebrew word 'sar' meaning prince, thus 'princess'. It fell out of common use for centuries but was revived in the 20th century, particularly among English-speaking families drawn to its biblical roots.
Where Sarai 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.
“Sarai” around the world
Where Sarai lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sari, Sara
Sibling names for Sarai
Names that share Sarai's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Sarai
Names whose popularity has moved with Sarai's over the last 50 years.
