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Sarah

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAIR-uh /ˈsɛr.ə/High

Meaning: Princess; noblewoman; lady — from Hebrew Sarah, from sar (ruler, prince)High

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew classic meaning 'princess,' Sarah was the wife of Abraham and mother of nations in the Bible. It has been one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world for centuries.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningPrincess; noblewoman; lady — from Hebrew Sarah, from sar (ruler, prince)
Peak year1982
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,073,895

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198218802017

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

History & Origin

Sarah comes from the Hebrew שָׂרָה, from sar (ruler, prince), meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman.' In the Bible she is the wife of Abraham and the first matriarch, originally called Sarai before God renamed her.

Sarah has been in continuous use in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities for millennia. In the United States it was a top-10 girls' name from the 1970s through the 1990s and remains in the top 100.

Did you know? In Genesis 17, God changes Sarai's name to Sarah, saying 'she shall be a mother of nations' — the name change marks one of the Bible's great covenant moments.

Variations

SaraSaraiZaraSorcha

Nicknames

SalSallySadie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Sarah Bernhardt (1844–1923)
    French stage actress, widely regarded as the greatest actress of the 19th century.

If you like Sarah…

Hannah— Old Testament matriarch with the same soft two-syllable Biblical warmth
Naomi— Old Testament name with the same gentle three-vowel Hebrew grace

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sarah mean?

Sarah comes from the Hebrew word for 'princess' or 'noblewoman,' from sar (prince, ruler). In the Bible she is the first matriarch, wife of Abraham.

How do you pronounce Sarah?

It is said SAIR-uh /ˈsɛr.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sarah a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Sarah?

Sarah was a top-10 U.S. girls' name from the 1970s through the 1990s and remains in the top 100.