Sterling
Sterling is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Little star; high quality, pure silver.
Origin and history
Sterling is an English name originally derived from the Middle English word for a high-purity silver coin or the Old English term meaning 'little star'. Traditionally used more often for boys, it has seen rising modern usage for girls in the United States. Its association with precious metal gives it a refined, polished quality.
Popularity in the United States
3,723 babies in the United States have been named Sterling since 1880. It ranks #2891 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1154.
States where it is most popular
- TX (36.4 %)
- CA (17 %)
- GA (5.2 %)
- FL (5 %)
- OK (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 14 |
| 1920-1930 | 47 |
| 1930-1940 | 26 |
| 1940-1950 | 49 |
| 1950-1960 | 27 |
| 1960-1970 | 48 |
| 1970-1980 | 111 |
| 1980-1990 | 257 |
| 1990-2000 | 569 |
| 2000-2010 | 549 |
| 2010-2019 | 934 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,092 |
Famous people named Sterling
- Sterling Skye Mahomes: Celebrity Child
Fun facts
- The term 'sterling' was used in medieval England to refer to silver coins of standard purity.
- Etymologists believe the name originates from Old English 'stær', meaning star, referring to little stars stamped on early coins.
- While historically more popular for boys, Sterling has seen a steady increase in usage for female babies in recent years.