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The short answer
Sarah is a feminine name from the Hebrew שָׂרָה (Sara), meaning "lady, princess, noblewoman". In the Old Testament, Sarah is Abraham's wife and the matriarch of the Jewish people; her name was originally Sarai until God changed it, as recorded in Genesis 17:15. Behind the Name notes it came into English use after the Protestant Reformation and topped the charts in England and Wales in the 1970s and 80s. It is pronounced SAIR-ə. In the United States it ranked #90 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name derives Sarah from the Hebrew שָׂרָה (Sara), meaning "lady, princess, noblewoman". In the Old Testament, Sarah is Abraham's wife, considered the matriarch of the Jewish people; she was barren until unexpectedly becoming pregnant with Isaac at the age of 90. Her name was originally Sarai, changed to Sarah by God at the same time Abraham's name was changed (Genesis 17:15). Notable bearers include British duchess Sarah Churchill (1660-1744) and French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923).
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | שָׂרָה (sara) | lady, princess, noblewoman |
Popularity
Sarah ranked #90 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #90 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Sadie, Sal, Sallie, Sally, Sarina
Variants: Sara, Sera
Related names: Sara, Sadie, Sarai
What the name feels like
Sarah has the quiet confidence of a name that has stayed continuously in use for centuries without ever feeling dated, helped by its short, easy pronunciation and its long run at the top of the charts in the late 20th century.
Style tags: biblical, classic, two syllables, timeless
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Sarah's biblical origin or its classic, two-syllable sound.
Similar by meaning
Similar by popularity
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sarah mean?
Sarah means "lady, princess, noblewoman", from the Hebrew שָׂרָה (Sara).
Is Sarah a popular name?
Yes. Sarah ranked #90 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Why was Sarah's name changed from Sarai in the Bible?
Behind the Name notes that God changed her name from Sarai to Sarah at the same time Abraham's name was changed, as recorded in Genesis 17:15.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Sarah — supports etymology, pronunciation, variants, history.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
