Sterling
How to say it: STUR-ling · /ˈstɜrlɪŋ/
From the English word for high-quality silver; or from the place name Stirling in Scotland. Surname used as a given name.
Sterling was the 350th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,162 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 70% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #326 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #350 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 (both sexes) | 1,162 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,853 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +70% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #326 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Momentum has built for Sterling into the 2020s, its finest period yet. Sitting at its high, it should continue to rise.
What goes with it
Mellow around a firm center, Sterling feels solid and strong. Preston aligns in tone, with Ster as a clipped short form.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Sterling is about 1 in 119.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Sterling
- Sterling K. Brown (born 1976)American actor
- Sterling Knight (born 1989)American actor, singer, songwriter, director, comedian and musician
- Sterling Jerins (born 2004)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
About as popular as Sterling
Find names you'll both love, starting with Sterling
The one-minute style quiz.