Sara

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAIR-uh /ˈsɛr.ə/High

Meaning: Princess; noblewomanHigh

In 30 seconds: A sleek two-syllable classic meaning 'princess.' The single-r spelling is the older Hebrew form and is widely used across Europe and Latin America.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningPrincess; noblewoman

Peak year1981

Total births (all-time)≈ 422,998

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Sara is the direct transliteration of the Hebrew שָׂרָה (Śārāh), meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman.' It is the name borne by the wife of the patriarch Abraham in the Hebrew scriptures. The double-h spelling Sarah became standard in English Bibles, but Sara persists as the preferred spelling in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian, and many Slavic languages.

Throughout the Middle Ages Sara was common across Jewish communities and Christian Europe alike. In the modern era it has consistently appeared in the top 50 U.S. girls' names. The single-r form is gaining ground as parents opt for the more streamlined look while retaining the name's deep classical roots.

Did you know? In the Hebrew Bible, God renamed Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15); the Sara spelling reflects the name's pre-rename form and many European traditions.

Variations

SarahSaraiZaraSoraya

Nicknames

SariSadie

Famous Bearers

★Sara Bareilles (b. 1979)
American singer-songwriter known for 'Love Song' and 'Brave.'
★Sara Blakely (b. 1971)
American entrepreneur and founder of Spanx.

If you like Sara…

Sarah— same name, alternate spelling

Sophia— classic feminine name with ancient roots

Clara— crisp two-syllable classic with European appeal

Nora— short, elegant classic with a similar soft ending

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sara mean?

Sara is of Hebrew origin and means 'princess' or 'noblewoman,' the same meaning as its variant Sarah.

How do you pronounce Sara?

Sara is pronounced SAIR-uh (/ˈsɛr.ə/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Sara a boy or girl name?

Sara is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Sara?

Sara has been a consistent top-100 U.S. girls' name for decades, popular in Europe and Latin America as well.