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Home › Baby Names Directory › Starling

Starling

♂ Boy

Pronounced STAR-ling /ˈstɑːrlɪŋ/High

Meaning: From the English word for the small, glossy songbird, also an established surname. A modern nature name with a bright, lyrical feel.Low

In 30 seconds: A songbird name: Starling names the small, glossy bird (said 'STAR-ling'). Lyrical, nature-rooted, and modern.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word for the small, glossy songbird, also an established surname. A modern nature name with a bright, lyrical feel.
U.S. rank (2025)#6753 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births13 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,000

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192018802025

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 comes from the English word for the small, glossy songbird and also serves as a surname. As a given name it reads modern and nature-loving, with a soft musical ring. Lyrical and fresh (said 'STAR-ling').

In the U.S. it appears rarely as a given name, a modern bird-and-nature pick. Bright, lyrical, and uncommon.

Did you know? Starling names the small, iridescent songbird - and doubles as a surname - a bright nature name with a lyrical lilt (said 'STAR-ling').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Starling — English word for the songbird; also a surname

Variations

Sterling

Nicknames

StarLing

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Starling…

Sterling— a near-twin in sound
Phoenix— a like bright bird-themed name
Wren— a like small-bird nature name
Aking— lands in the same popularity range
Myking— shares Starling's English roots

Explore names like Starling

By themeword-namenaturelyricalbird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Starling mean?

Starling names the small, glossy songbird and is also a surname.

How do you pronounce Starling?

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

Is Starling a boy or girl name?

Here Starling is used as a boy's name; it reads gently unisex.

How popular is Starling?

Starling is a rare, modern nature name for boys in the U.S.

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