Holding steady, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Sterlin since 1916
Babies named Sterlin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1993, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sterlin's real moment was 1918.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 26 |
| 1920s | 44 |
| 1930s | 41 |
| 1940s | 40 |
| 1950s | 49 |
| 1960s | 35 |
| 1970s | 60 |
| 1980s | 72 |
| 1990s | 153 |
| 2000s | 96 |
| 2010s | 80 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Sterlin is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1916. It saw its peak popularity in 1918, though even then it remained uncommon. As of 2025, the name ranks 10,695th, with an estimated 1 in 284,679 newborns receiving the name. Its trajectory has been stable over the decades, never experiencing a surge in use. The name is likely a variant spelling of Sterling, which is better known and has been used as both a surname and a given name. Sterlin has not been concentrated in any particular U.S. state, reflecting its sparse and scattered usage. Despite its rarity, the name appeals to parents seeking a distinctive alternative to the more common Sterling.
Sterlin appears to be a variant spelling of Sterling, a name of debated origin. It may derive from the Old English 'stierling', meaning 'little star', or from the Scottish surname Sterling, which referred to someone from the city of Stirling. Alternatively, it could be a transferred use of the English word 'sterling', denoting high quality. The name has been in use in the United States since the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ster
Variants: Sterling
Sibling names for Sterlin
Names that share Sterlin's style, for a brother or sister.
