The nameSara

Sara is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess". A spelling of Sarah used in many languages, it is popular across Europe.

Meaning

Sara comes from the Hebrew Sarah, "princess, noblewoman".

Origin

Hebrew. Sara is the form used in Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian and many other languages.

History

Sara is a classic in Italy, Spain and Scandinavia. In the United States it reached the top 30.

Famous people named Sara

Popularity of the name Sara

Sara in the United States

187thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1982peak year (11,392 births)
435,846babies named Sara in the United States since 1880
05,69611,392 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Sara was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 105,119 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Sara. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1982. Half of all babies named Sara in the United States were born before 1982, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,597 births a year.

Sara in the United Kingdom

120thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2017peak year (701 births)
15,787babies named Sara in the United Kingdom since 1997
0351701 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Sara was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 6,381 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Sara. Half of all babies named Sara in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 502 births a year on average, against 624 in the five years before.

Sara in Ireland

128thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2011peak year (91 births)
3,047babies named Sara in Ireland since 1964
04691 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Sara in France

189thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2008peak year (1,130 births)
28,775babies named Sara in France since 1900
05651,130 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Sara in Belgium

50thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025
1995peak year (302 births)
7,089babies named Sara in Belgium since 1995
0151302 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Sara in Switzerland

46thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025
2000peak year (386 births)
7,215babies named Sara in Switzerland since 2000
0193386 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Sara in Austria

54thmost popular girls' name in Austria in 2025
2016peak year (324 births)
7,295babies named Sara in Austria since 1984
0162324 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Sara in Norway

43rdmost popular girls' name in Norway in 2025
2002peak year (403 births)
11,910babies named Sara in Norway since 1945
0202403 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Sibling names for Sara

Names from the same generation as Sara, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Sara? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Sara with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Sara side by side with the name of your choice.

Sara in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sara mean?

Sara comes from the Hebrew Sarah, "princess, noblewoman".

What is the origin of the name Sara?

Hebrew. Sara is the form used in Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian and many other languages.

Is Sara a girl's or a boy's name?

Sara is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Sara?

In 2024, Sara was the 187th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,605 births.

What are good sibling names for Sara?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Mary, Anna, Maria and Ana for a sister, José, Jeremy, Jesse and Juan for a brother.

Who are famous people named Sara?

Sara Bareilles, singer; Sara Errani, tennis player; Sara Gilbert, actress.