Sierra first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Sierra

A feminine name of Spanish origin meaning "mountain range".

Popularity of Sierra by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 522 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sierra.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 522
2022 0 548
2021 0 608
2020 0 563
2019 0 629
2018 0 698
2017 0 704
2016 0 770
2015 0 800
2014 0 948
2013 0 943
2012 0 1,168
2011 0 1,149
2010 0 1,454
2009 0 1,676
2008 0 1,902
2007 0 2,113
2006 5 2,462
2005 5 3,048
2004 16 3,520
2003 11 4,242
2002 7 4,807
2001 7 5,237
2000 8 5,520
1999 9 5,715
1998 12 5,841
1997 10 5,688
1996 12 5,487
1995 10 5,494
1994 18 4,853
1993 8 3,473
1992 8 2,612
1991 10 2,303
1990 11 2,171
1989 13 1,863
1988 10 1,550
1987 8 1,621
1986 8 1,610
1985 8 1,199
1984 5 230
1983 7 193
1982 0 210
1981 8 187
1980 0 184
1979 0 159
1978 15 158
1977 10 134
1976 5 91
1975 5 76
1974 0 57

The history of the first name Sierra

The name Sierra is derived from the Spanish word "sierra," which means a jagged mountain range or a saw. This word itself comes from the Latin word "serra," meaning a saw or a sawing instrument. The name's origin can be traced back to the 16th century when it was first used as a given name in Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions.

The earliest known recorded use of the name Sierra dates back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in historical documents and records from Spain and other parts of the Spanish-speaking world. During this time period, the name was likely given to children born in or near mountainous regions, as a nod to the natural beauty and ruggedness of their surroundings.

One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Sierra was Sierra de Finisterre, a Spanish navigator and explorer who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. She was one of the first women to circumnavigate the globe and played a significant role in the exploration of the Americas and the Pacific Ocean.

Another prominent figure associated with the name Sierra was Sierra Morena, a Spanish novelist and poet who lived in the 17th century. She is best known for her work "La Vida es SueƱo" (Life is a Dream), which explored themes of existentialism and the nature of reality.

In the 19th century, Sierra Nevada was the name of a famous American environmentalist and writer who was instrumental in the establishment of the Sierra Nevada National Park in California. Her works, such as "My First Summer in the Sierra" and "The Mountains of California," helped raise awareness about the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Moving into the 20th century, Sierra Leone was a renowned African-American civil rights activist and educator who fought tirelessly for equal rights and educational opportunities for marginalized communities. She founded several schools and organizations dedicated to empowering and uplifting people of color.

Another notable figure from the 20th century was Sierra Madre, a Mexican-American artist and sculptor whose works often explored themes of cultural identity and the intersection of different artistic traditions. Her sculptures and installations were widely exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Sierra, but there are undoubtedly many others who have left their mark on various fields and disciplines.

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 Sierra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Sierra first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 13, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sierra-meaning-and-history/.

"Sierra first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sierra-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 December, 2024

Sierra first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/sierra-meaning-and-history/.

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