Home › Baby Names Directory › Sterling

Sterling

♀ Girl

Pronounced STER-ling /ˈstɜːr.lɪŋ/High

Meaning: Of the highest quality; from Old English steorling (little star), referring to the star symbol on early English pennies; later meaning pure silver coinageMedium

In 30 seconds: An English name meaning 'of the highest quality' or 'little star,' originally referring to the star on medieval English pennies — sterling silver. As a girls' name it has a polished, aspirational feel.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumEnglish, Scottish

MeaningOf the highest quality; from Old English steorling (little star), referring to the star symbol on early English pennies; later meaning pure silver coinage

U.S. rank (2025)#1100 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births218 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,722

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

Sterling derives from Old English steorling or Osterling, with the star symbol on early English pennies being the most cited etymology. Over time it came to mean pure silver of the highest quality, and metaphorically 'excellent, genuine, first-rate.'

Sterling has appeared as a given name for both sexes from the 19th century. For girls it began rising notably in the 2010s. It ranked #1117 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? The word 'sterling' is believed to derive from Old English steorling (little star) — referring to the star imprinted on early Norman pennies. So sterling silver literally means 'star-quality silver,' making Sterling a celestial name in disguise.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Sterling — Old English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Starling

Nicknames

SterlLing

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sterling…

Silver— a precious-metal name in the same quality-material category

Sloane— preppy one-syllable/two-syllable surname name in the same polished register

Sutton— two-syllable surname name with the same polished feel

Lennon— two-syllable surname name with the same cool, unisex appeal

Explore names like Sterling

By themeenglish unisex surname-style aspirational

By meaningStar Purity

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sterling mean?

Sterling means 'of the highest quality,' from Old English steorling (little star) — the origin of sterling silver, named for the star on medieval English pennies.

How do you pronounce Sterling?

It's said STER-ling — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sterling a boy or girl name?

Sterling is used for both sexes and has been trending for girls since around 2015.

How popular is Sterling?

Sterling ranked #1117 for U.S. girls in 2024.