Sara
Sara first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1981, when 11,359 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,568.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Sara popular?
Declining Sara is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1981 peak.
| 2020s | 9,558 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 20,732 | |
| 2000s | 44,056 | |
| 1990s | 72,170 | |
| 1980s | 104,682 | |
| 1970s | 56,958 | |
| 1960s | 23,044 | |
| 1950s | 20,491 | |
| 1940s | 20,275 | |
| 1930s | 18,261 | |
| 1920s | 21,101 | |
| 1910s | 15,409 | |
| 1900s | 4,210 | |
| 1890s | 3,119 | |
| 1880s | 2,127 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Sara mean?
Sara is a variant of Sarah, Hebrew for “princess” or “noblewoman” — the wife of Abraham. The spelling without a final “h” is common across Europe.
Nicknames for Sara
- Sadie
- Sally
Variants & spellings
- Sarah
- Zara
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Sara a boy or a girl name?
Sara is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Sara a popular name right now?
Sara is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1981 peak.
How popular is the name Sara?
In 2025, Sara ranked #198 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Sara most popular?
Sara was most popular in 1981, when about 11,359 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Sara?
Common nicknames for Sara include Sadie, Sally.