gender neutral
Sterling
of high quality
About Sterling
Sterling gleams with precious metal associations and British sophistication, suggesting quality and value in every context. This name transforms a descriptor of excellence into a powerful personal identifier, setting high expectations from the start. Sterling works as both a surname-turned-first-name and a word name, giving it multiple layers of significance and usage history. The name projects success and achievement without arrogance, maintaining an air of refinement while remaining approachable. Parents drawn to Sterling often appreciate names that sound distinguished and accomplished, those that might appear on both playground name tags and corporate letterhead with equal appropriateness. The "ling" ending softens the strong initial syllable, creating a balanced sound profile that's neither too harsh nor too gentle. Sterling represents old money elegance without stuffiness, working across different social contexts and professional environments. The name offers limited nickname options, which appeals to parents who want their chosen name used in full. For families seeking something that sounds both classic and current, something that implies quality and character, Sterling delivers a polished choice that will serve a child well from first introductions through professional accomplishments.
Popularity of the Name Sterling
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | New Zealand | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #440 | ||
| 1881 | #695 | ||
| 1882 | #466 | ||
| 1883 | #396 | ||
| 1884 | #413 | ||
| 1885 | #436 | ||
| 1886 | #640 | ||
| 1887 | #390 | ||
| 1888 | #374 | ||
| 1889 | #494 | ||
| 1890 | #509 | ||
| 1891 | #348 | ||
| 1892 | #403 | ||
| 1893 | #321 | ||
| 1894 | #535 | ||
| 1895 | #308 | ||
| 1896 | #436 | ||
| 1897 | #382 | ||
| 1898 | #390 | ||
| 1899 | #454 | ||
| 1900 | #356 | ||
| 1901 | #352 | ||
| 1902 | #365 | ||
| 1903 | #352 | ||
| 1904 | #353 | ||
| 1905 | #390 | ||
| 1906 | #385 | ||
| 1907 | #358 | ||
| 1908 | #344 | ||
| 1909 | #343 | ||
| 1910 | #390 | ||
| 1911 | #425 | ||
| 1912 | #385 | ||
| 1913 | #362 | ||
| 1914 | #385 | ||
| 1915 | #373 | ||
| 1916 | #391 | ||
| 1917 | #384 | ||
| 1918 | #376 | ||
| 1919 | #361 | ||
| 1920 | #374 | ||
| 1921 | #372 | ||
| 1922 | #364 | ||
| 1923 | #376 | ||
| 1924 | #356 | ||
| 1925 | #385 | ||
| 1926 | #371 | ||
| 1927 | #386 | ||
| 1928 | #392 | ||
| 1929 | #356 | ||
| 1930 | #404 | ||
| 1931 | #405 | ||
| 1932 | #371 | ||
| 1933 | #397 | ||
| 1934 | #408 | ||
| 1935 | #413 | ||
| 1936 | #393 | ||
| 1937 | #439 | ||
| 1938 | #415 | ||
| 1939 | #429 | ||
| 1940 | #402 | ||
| 1941 | #413 | ||
| 1942 | #379 | ||
| 1943 | #422 | ||
| 1944 | #416 | ||
| 1945 | #410 | ||
| 1946 | #419 | ||
| 1947 | #409 | ||
| 1948 | #421 | ||
| 1949 | #422 | ||
| 1950 | #421 | ||
| 1951 | #420 | ||
| 1952 | #439 | ||
| 1953 | #450 | ||
| 1954 | #457 | ||
| 1955 | #456 | ||
| 1956 | #455 | ||
| 1957 | #496 | ||
| 1958 | #498 | ||
| 1959 | #487 | ||
| 1960 | #516 | ||
| 1961 | #505 | ||
| 1962 | #470 | ||
| 1963 | #465 | ||
| 1964 | #471 | ||
| 1965 | #523 | ||
| 1966 | #490 | ||
| 1967 | #512 | ||
| 1968 | #485 | ||
| 1969 | #509 | ||
| 1970 | #548 | ||
| 1971 | #523 | ||
| 1972 | #589 | ||
| 1973 | #570 | ||
| 1974 | #575 | ||
| 1975 | #600 | ||
| 1976 | #593 | ||
| 1977 | #573 | ||
| 1978 | #556 | ||
| 1979 | #571 | ||
| 1980 | #550 | ||
| 1981 | #581 | ||
| 1982 | #559 | ||
| 1983 | #508 | ||
| 1984 | #490 | ||
| 1985 | #527 | ||
| 1986 | #513 | ||
| 1987 | #492 | ||
| 1988 | #444 | ||
| 1989 | #486 | ||
| 1990 | #462 | ||
| 1991 | #463 | #804 | |
| 1992 | #440 | #569 | |
| 1993 | #437 | #641 | |
| 1994 | #402 | #725 | |
| 1995 | #446 | #521 | |
| 1996 | #463 | #771 | |
| 1997 | #494 | #584 | |
| 1998 | #505 | #709 | |
| 1999 | #531 | #576 | |
| 2000 | #569 | #663 | |
| 2001 | #545 | #626 | |
| 2002 | #589 | #600 | |
| 2003 | #632 | #600 | |
| 2004 | #675 | #745 | |
| 2005 | #743 | #805 | |
| 2006 | #772 | ||
| 2007 | #800 | ||
| 2008 | #870 | #986 | |
| 2009 | #899 | ||
| 2010 | #755 | ||
| 2011 | #739 | #806 | |
| 2012 | #675 | #915 | |
| 2013 | #583 | #674 | |
| 2014 | #507 | #583 | |
| 2015 | #493 | #461 | |
| 2016 | #458 | #451 | |
| 2017 | #435 | #395 | |
| 2018 | #409 | #365 | |
| 2019 | #411 | #430 | |
| 2020 | #400 | #342 | |
| 2021 | #383 | #379 | |
| 2022 | #398 | #368 | |
| 2023 | #403 | #394 | |
| 2024 | #371 | #451 | |
| 2025 | #346 | #469 | #443 |
Top names by country: United States · New Zealand · Canada
Variations of Name Sterling
- Stirling
- Starling
- Sterlyn
- Sterlin
Names Similar to Sterling
Nicknames for Sterling
- Ster
- Sterls
- Ling
- S
- Sterlo
Famous People Named Sterling
| Sterling K. Brown | American actor |
| Sterling Hayden | American actor |
| Sterling Knight | American actor |
| Sterling Shepard | American football player |
| Sterling Morrison | American musician |
| Sterling Holloway | American actor |
| Sterling Beaumon | American actor |
| Sterling Price | American Civil War general |
| Sterling Marlin | American race car driver |
| Sterling Sharpe | American football player |
| Sterling Magee | American blues musician |
| Sterling Stuckey | American historian |
| Sterling Campbell | American drummer |
| Sterling Jerins | American actress |
| Sterling Robertson | American empresario |
| Sterling Hyltin | American ballerina |
| Sterling Smith | American entrepreneur |
| Sterling Swain | American sculptor |
| Sterling North | American author |
| Sterling Van Wagenen | American filmmaker |
Characters Named Sterling
| Sterling Archer | Archer |
| Sterling Malory | Leverage |
| Sterling Malory Archer | Archer |
| Sterling Silliphant | The Great Escape |
| Sterling Silver | Sonic the Hedgehog |
| Sterling Breeze | Dinosaur King |
| Sterling Silversmith | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy |
| Sterling Robertson | Death in Paradise |
| Sterling Windgate | Alias |
| Sterling Bray | The Bill |
| Sterling Fox | Dreamfall Chapters |