Holding steady, #4,396 for boys today.
Popularity of Stirling since 1912
Babies named Stirling per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Stirling's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 29 |
| 1920s | 0 | 55 |
| 1930s | 0 | 30 |
| 1940s | 0 | 44 |
| 1950s | 0 | 41 |
| 1960s | 0 | 58 |
| 1970s | 0 | 48 |
| 1980s | 0 | 47 |
| 1990s | 16 | 114 |
| 2000s | 25 | 109 |
| 2010s | 14 | 174 |
| 2020s | 23 | 102 |
Meaning & origin
Stirling is a Scottish place name, derived from the city of Stirling in central Scotland. Its etymology is debated, with some suggesting it comes from a Celtic phrase meaning 'dwelling of the stars', while others trace it to Old English for 'place of strife'. As a given name, it first appeared in U.S. records in 1912, the same year it reached its peak rank of 4,396. It has remained consistently rare, with stable usage over subsequent decades. In 2025, about 1 in 74,264 boys received the name. Its similarity to the more common surname-turned-first-name Sterling may influence occasional use.
Stirling is a Scottish place name, originally a burgh in central Scotland. The name's derivation is uncertain; it may come from a Celtic root meaning 'dwelling of the stars' or from Old English elements meaning 'place of strife'. It has been used as a surname and occasionally as a given name since the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Sterling
Sibling names for Stirling
Names that share Stirling's style, for a brother or sister.
