Sterling Name Meaning

The meaning of the name Sterling is “of high quality,” reflecting its origins as a term for a type of coin. The name Sterling suggests excellence, value, and distinction, making it a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that reflects their son’s potential.

History of the Name Sterling

The name Sterling has its roots in Old English, and it’s been used as a given name since the Middle Ages. The name Sterling was originally used to describe a type of coin, and it was later adopted as a given name to reflect its association with wealth and prosperity. Over time, the name Sterling evolved into the modern spelling of Sterling, and it’s now used as a given name in many different countries around the world.

Origins of the Name Sterling

The name Sterling is of Old English origin, and it’s derived from the word “sterling,” which means “little star.” The name Sterling suggests brilliance, shine, and radiance, making it a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that reflects their son’s character.

Popularity of the Name Sterling

The name Sterling has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it’s now a common name for boys in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration, the name Sterling was the 648th most popular name for boys born in the United States in 2020. The popularity of the name Sterling is likely due to its association with wealth, prosperity, and distinction, as well as its modern and stylish sound.

Final Thoughts on the Name Sterling

Sterling is a name that’s synonymous with quality, value, and distinction! With its roots in Old English, it’s a name that’s got a rich history and a lot of style. Whether you’re looking for a name that’s classic and traditional, or a name that’s modern and stylish, Sterling is a great choice. So if you’re looking for a name for your little guy that’s got a lot of shine and a lot of distinction, consider the name Sterling!

Infographic of Sterling name meaning, which is “A man of quality,” in allusion to the standard meaning of the word sterling, based on the Anglo-Saxon steorra (a star) and ling (a suffix designating smallness ).
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Sterling Name Popularity

How popular is the name Sterling? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 463 11 0.0031%
1911 — 0 0%
1912 406 51 0.0101%
1913 371 85 0.015%
1914 392 107 0.0154%
1915 377 165 0.0182%
1916 376 173 0.0179%
1917 393 165 0.0165%
1918 383 199 0.0185%
1919 356 214 0.0204%
1920 388 194 0.0174%
1921 371 228 0.0199%
1922 364 233 0.0209%
1923 377 213 0.019%
1924 350 248 0.0214%
1925 395 193 0.0171%
1926 376 204 0.0185%
1927 403 186 0.0168%
1928 409 175 0.0164%
1929 369 201 0.0194%
1930 415 161 0.0154%
1931 407 152 0.0154%
1932 372 191 0.0193%
1933 412 134 0.0144%
1934 438 124 0.0128%
1935 423 135 0.0139%
1936 410 141 0.0146%
1937 453 116 0.0118%
1938 413 152 0.0148%
1939 445 125 0.0123%
1940 412 158 0.0149%
1941 435 140 0.0124%
1942 380 219 0.0173%
1943 428 168 0.0129%
1944 424 164 0.0132%
1945 409 172 0.0141%
1946 413 196 0.0133%
1947 417 230 0.0138%
1948 425 205 0.0128%
1949 417 219 0.0136%
1950 430 197 0.0122%
1951 420 219 0.0129%
1952 444 207 0.0119%
1953 445 211 0.0119%
1954 459 203 0.0111%
1955 457 219 0.0119%
1956 458 224 0.0119%
1957 512 187 0.0097%
1958 496 200 0.0106%
1959 493 206 0.0108%
1960 527 179 0.0094%
1961 516 195 0.0103%
1962 475 237 0.0129%
1963 488 222 0.0124%
1964 482 232 0.0132%
1965 530 164 0.01%
1966 497 194 0.0124%
1967 528 158 0.0104%
1968 488 192 0.0128%
1969 513 187 0.0121%
1970 541 174 0.0109%
1971 516 204 0.0136%
1972 591 135 0.0099%
1973 567 148 0.0114%
1974 586 139 0.0107%
1975 611 127 0.0099%
1976 593 142 0.011%
1977 589 152 0.0113%
1978 567 173 0.0129%
1979 577 173 0.0123%
1980 555 197 0.0135%
1981 596 155 0.0105%
1982 572 179 0.012%
1983 524 207 0.014%
1984 502 235 0.0158%
1985 513 240 0.0158%
1986 514 248 0.0164%
1987 494 277 0.0182%
1988 438 379 0.0243%
1989 490 336 0.0208%
1990 469 397 0.024%
1991 461 414 0.0254%
1992 434 473 0.0296%
1993 445 453 0.0291%
1994 396 550 0.0358%
1995 435 483 0.032%
1996 460 433 0.0289%
1997 497 377 0.0255%
1998 509 372 0.0249%
1999 535 343 0.0229%
2000 572 311 0.0204%
2001 560 335 0.0222%
2002 589 310 0.0207%
2003 629 281 0.0185%
2004 695 240 0.0157%
2005 737 223 0.0146%
2006 800 206 0.0132%
2007 805 218 0.0138%
2008 841 205 0.0133%
2009 930 158 0.0106%
2010 750 244 0.0169%
2011 753 244 0.0171%
2012 663 308 0.0216%
2013 566 409 0.0287%
2014 501 511 0.0351%
2015 485 555 0.0381%
2016 456 624 0.0433%
2017 430 672 0.0481%
2018 398 750 0.0546%
2019 399 723 0.0534%
2020 396 727 0.0571%
2021 383 812 0.0664%
2022 402 760 0.0576%
2023 404 757 0.0585%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Sterling

If you like Sterling, you’ll love these other names like Sterling.

What names are variants of Sterling?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Sterling.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Sterlyn

Genuine, of high quality

English

Stirling

Genuine, of high quality

English

What names sound like Sterling?

If you like how Sterling sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Sterling.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Starling

Starling bird

English

Sutherland

Southern island

Lists With Sterling

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Sterling.

Siblings of Sterling

Mamas with kids named Sterling also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Zoey

Life

Greek

4 Comments

  1. My husband’s grandfather’s name and we love that name. Very special.

    Reply

  2. My husband and I were watching one of our favorite shows, and the character’s name is Sterling. I couldn’t get it out of my head and I suggested the name to my husband. He loved it, especially since it’s unique without being too weird or difficult to spell. So we named our son Sterling!

    Reply

  3. I chose the name Sterling because I had met a little boy named Sterling when I was a teenager who had been named after his Granddad. The little boy was very sweet and smart, just loved to help others, sort of an old soul. I always admired that name since. The name means bright star, great description for my little boy.

    Reply

  4. Sterling was my husbands grandfather’s name. We also thought it was strong, handsome,and unique. I love it so much I probably would have used it if he was a girl too.

    Reply

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