How Many People Are Named Sterling?
Complete statistics for the name Sterling: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Sterling is an English name meaning high quality or genuine worth, rooted in the word for pure silver. About 30,279 people named Sterling are living in the US today, making it quite rare at just 1 in 10,898 Americans. What's striking is that it's still climbing, with 2024 being its biggest year ever at 1,098 births.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 5 is traditionally associated with freedom, curiosity, and a restless desire for adventure and change. People connected to the number 5 are seen as adaptable and energetic, drawn to new experiences and rarely content standing still.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 46All 40,008 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2024Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Sterling Through the Generations
Sterling has a genuinely interesting data story. With 40,008 all-time US births and 30,279 still living, the gap is relatively small, which makes sense for a name that never had a huge historical peak to lose people from. The average age of 46 might suggest an older crowd at first glance, but dig into the age split and a different picture emerges. A full 41% of all Sterlings, that's 16,338 people, are under 30, making this a name that's actively being chosen by today's parents. The over-60 group at 13,427 is also substantial, hinting at an earlier wave of use, but the real action is happening now. The peak year being 2024 is the clearest signal of all. This name isn't coasting on nostalgia, it's genuinely trending upward and landing firmly in modern territory.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Sterling
Sterling is a given name from the Old English staerling, referring to the bird, starling; two variants of the name are Starling and Stirling.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Sterling's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Sterling
How Many People Have the Name Sterling?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 25,411 people in the United States currently share the name Sterling. That works out to roughly 1 in every 13,044 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Sterling a Common or Rare Name?
Sterling is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Sterling Mean?
Sterling means "pure silver, genuine high quality" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Sterling in SSA data, approximately 89% are male and 11% are female.
When Was Sterling Most Popular?
The name Sterling reached peak popularity in 2024, with 1,098 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Sterling?
Approximately 25,411 people named Sterling live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 25,411. That works out to roughly 1 in 13,044 Americans.
Is Sterling a rare name?
Sterling is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 13,044 Americans has this name.
What does the name Sterling mean?
Sterling means "pure silver, genuine high quality" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Sterling more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 89% of people named Sterling are male and 11% are female.
When was Sterling most popular?
Sterling peaked in 2024 with 1,098 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.