Rising since 2008, #345 for boys today.
Popularity of Sterling since 1880
Babies named Sterling per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 168 |
| 1890s | 0 | 233 |
| 1900s | 0 | 352 |
| 1910s | 14 | 1,608 |
| 1920s | 47 | 2,533 |
| 1930s | 26 | 1,904 |
| 1940s | 49 | 2,334 |
| 1950s | 27 | 2,570 |
| 1960s | 48 | 2,496 |
| 1970s | 111 | 2,072 |
| 1980s | 257 | 2,968 |
| 1990s | 569 | 4,709 |
| 2000s | 549 | 3,027 |
| 2010s | 934 | 5,464 |
| 2020s | 1,092 | 5,036 |
Meaning & origin
Sterling is a name that carries connotations of value and excellence, rooted in the history of English currency. In 2025, it ranked #345 nationally, with 1 in 1809 baby boys receiving the name. It has been on an upward trajectory since 2008, hitting its peak popularity in 2025. The name is especially favored in states like South Dakota, Montana, and Hawaii. Its rise in the 2020s suggests a modern revival of classic, surname-style names with a strong, upright feel.
Sterling derives from the Old English 'steorling', meaning 'little star', a reference to a small star that appeared on early Norman pennies. The word came to denote the British currency of standard purity, and by extension, anything of the highest quality. As a given name, Sterling emerged in the 19th century, often chosen for its association with excellence and value.
Where Sterling is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sterling” around the world
Where Sterling lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sterl, Ster
Variants: Stirling
Sibling names for Sterling
Names that share Sterling's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Adelaide, Vivienne, Cordelia, Beatrice, Genevieve, Diamond, Starla, Ardelle, Pearly, Sable, Sinclair, Sumer, Brittania, Crystall, Garnette, Merilee, Charma, Dimond, Rexanne, Yvaine, Azuree, Crescent, Diamonds, Mahogony, Novice, Saphyre, Starlit
Brothers: Harrison, Emmett, Graham, Julian, Spencer, Forrest, Freeman, Golden, Lyndon, Kimball, Lafayette, Rivers, Sherrod, Burgess, Charron, Claiborne, Harvard, Seaborn, Chilton, Lebaron, Melvern, Starlin, Woodward, Detroit, Jerral, Lennell, Trammell
Names like Sterling
Names whose popularity has moved with Sterling's over the last 50 years.
