Sacred
A name derived from Latin meaning holy, revered, or consecrated.
Name Census estimates that about 167 living Americans carry the first name Sacred. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 76.8% of registrations being female. The average person named Sacred today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Sacred births was 2024 (27 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Sacred. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
167
~ 1 in 2,052,421 Americans
Peak year
2024
27 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,156
Tracked since 2003
Gender
Gender distribution for Sacred
Sacred is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 168 total registrations, 39 (23.2%) were male and 129 (76.8%) were female.
Sacred as a male name
- Ranked #7,156 in 2024
- 12 male births in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (12 births)
Sacred as a female name
- Ranked #7,506 in 2024
- 15 female births in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (15 births)
Popularity
Sacred: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Sacred from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 98 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sacred by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Sacred during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Sacred
The given name Sacred is a rare and distinctive one, with origins that can be traced back to ancient times. Its roots lie in the Latin word "sacratus," meaning "dedicated, consecrated, or holy." This etymology suggests a deep spiritual and religious significance associated with the name.
In the early days of Christianity, the term "sacred" was often used to describe objects, places, or individuals that were regarded as holy or set apart for religious purposes. The use of Sacred as a personal name may have been influenced by this context, perhaps signifying a child's dedication to a religious path or a deep spiritual connection.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sacred can be found in the writings of the 5th-century Christian theologian, Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). In his work "The City of God," he mentions a man named Sacred, though little is known about this individual's life or background.
Throughout history, the name Sacred has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, though its rarity means that documented examples are scarce. One notable figure was Sacred Silva (1505-1572), a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who traveled to Brazil and worked to spread Christianity among the indigenous populations.
In the realm of literature, the name Sacred appears in the works of the 17th-century English poet John Milton (1608-1674). In his epic poem "Paradise Lost," he mentions a character named Sacred, though it is unclear whether this was a real individual or a fictional creation.
Another individual of note was Sacred Heart (1835-1909), a Native American woman from the Potawatomi tribe. She was known for her advocacy of Native American rights and her efforts to preserve her cultural heritage, earning her a place in the annals of American history.
Despite its relative obscurity, the name Sacred has endured throughout the centuries, perhaps due to its profound spiritual connotations. Its rarity has made it a unique and meaningful choice for those seeking a name that reflects their deeply held beliefs or connects them to a rich cultural and historical tapestry.
People
Sacred + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Sacred as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Sacred: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Sacred?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 167 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Sacred going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,052,421 US residents.
Is Sacred a common name?
We classify Sacred as "Very Rare". It ranks above 71.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 168 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Sacred most popular?
The single biggest year for Sacred was 2024, when 27 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Sacred is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Sacred a female name?
Yes, 76.8% of people registered as Sacred in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.