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Starling

♀ Girl

Pronounced STAR-ling /ˈstɑːr.lɪŋ/High

Meaning: From the English word starling, the small, glossy, chattering songbird - a nature name in the bird-name tradition (Wren, Lark, Robin).Low

In 30 seconds: A bird nature name: Starling is the glossy songbird (said 'STAR-ling'). Bright and unexpected.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningFrom the English word starling, the small, glossy, chattering songbird - a nature name in the bird-name tradition (Wren, Lark, Robin).

U.S. rank (2024)#14995 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 217

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Starling is an English nature word for the glossy, sociable songbird. It reads bright and distinctive - rare as a girl's name in the U.S. (said 'STAR-ling').

It appears only rarely as a given name. Rare, bright, and nature-loving.

Did you know? Starling names the small, iridescent songbird - a fresh entry in the bird-name family alongside Wren and Lark, and a nod to Clarice Starling (said 'STAR-ling').

Overall data confidence 42%

References - Starling — English 'starling'; songbird nature name

Variations

SterlingStarlynStarla

Nicknames

StarLing

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Starling…

Wren— a like small-bird name

Lark— a like songbird name

Sparrow— a like modern bird name

Sterling— lands in the same popularity range

Stirling— echoes that soft -ng sound

Explore names like Starling

By themeenglish nature bright bird

By meaningEarth / Nature Bird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Starling mean?

Starling is the English word for the small, glossy songbird - a nature name.

How do you pronounce Starling?

It's said STAR-ling /ˈstɑːr.lɪŋ/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Starling a boy or girl name?

Starling is a girl's name.

How popular is Starling?

Starling is a rare name in the U.S.