Find out how popular the first name Sarah has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sarah by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sarah is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Sarah being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,749 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sarah.

The history of the first name Sarah

The name Sarah has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, with its earliest known use dating back to ancient biblical times. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "sarah," which means "princess" or "noblewoman." It is believed to have first appeared in the Book of Genesis, where Sarah was the name of the wife of the patriarch Abraham.

In the biblical narrative, Sarah was a woman of great faith and courage, and her name has come to symbolize these virtues. The name Sarah appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, and it is also mentioned in the Quran, the central religious text of Islam.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Sarah can be found in the Book of Genesis, which is believed to have been written around the 6th or 5th century BCE. In this text, Sarah is described as the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac, one of the three patriarchs of the Abrahamic religions.

Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals who have borne the name Sarah. One of the most famous is Sarah Bernhardt, a French actress and cultural icon who lived from 1844 to 1923. She was widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her time and is often credited with helping to establish the modern concept of celebrity.

Another notable Sarah is Sarah Vaughan, an American jazz singer who lived from 1924 to 1990. She was a highly influential and innovative vocalist who helped to shape the sound of modern jazz and is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century.

In the realm of politics, Sarah Palin, an American politician and commentator, has been a prominent figure in recent decades. She served as the Governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009 and was the Republican Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in the 2008 election.

Sarah Josepha Hale, an American writer and editor who lived from 1788 to 1879, is also noteworthy. She is best known for her efforts in campaigning for the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the United States.

Finally, Sarah Breedlove, better known as Madam C.J. Walker, was an African American entrepreneur and philanthropist who lived from 1867 to 1919. She is widely regarded as one of the first self-made millionaires in the United States and is celebrated for her contributions to the development of hair care products and the promotion of economic empowerment for African American women.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sarah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sarah, please contact us.

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