Sterling

Pronunciation: [ st-ERL-ihng ]

Girl Name #1,117 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Pure as sterling silver — a name that means genuine excellence

English American Scottish

Sophisticated Bold Modern Elegant Strong

Meaning & Origin

"of genuine quality, excellent"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"little star (possible etymology)"

Origin: Old English steorling

Language: English

The Story of Sterling

Sterling derives from the Old English 'steorling,' possibly referring to a small star symbol on early Norman pennies, or from a word meaning 'of genuine quality.' Sterling silver refers to the standard of purity (92.5% silver) used in British coinage since the 12th century. As a surname, it became associated with quality and value. As a given name, Sterling has been used for both boys and girls, and its use for girls has grown significantly in the 2010s-2020s alongside other gender-neutral quality names.

Sterling has risen steadily as a girls' name in the US since 2010, paralleling the rise of strong, professional-sounding gender-neutral names for girls. The name suggests excellence and high standards without being overtly gendered.

Sterling silver has been a mark of quality and craftsmanship for over 800 years in Britain. As a name, Sterling carries connotations of genuine worth, reliability, and excellence.

Fun Facts

Sterling silver's 92.5% purity standard dates to 12th-century England
Stirling, Scotland (spelled with an 'i') is the historic heart of Scottish nationhood
Sterling K. Brown won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for This Is Us, raising the name's profile

Sterling in Other Languages

French Sterling

Spanish Esterling

Japanese スターリング

Scottish Stirling

Famous People Named Sterling

Sterling K. Brown

Actor

1976

Emmy and Golden Globe-winning American actor known for This Is Us and American Crime Story

Sterling Sharp

Athlete

1965

Former American NFL wide receiver who played for the Green Bay Packers

Sterling Archer Fictional

Other

Fictional secret agent protagonist of the animated comedy series Archer

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,117
Total SSA Count: 218
Cultural Origins: English American Scottish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Sterl Ling

Pairs Well With

Sterling Rose Sterling Grace Sterling Marie Sterling Jade Sterling Kate Sterling Mae Sterling Wren

Sibling Names

Sloane Quinn Greer Spencer Rowan Finley Hunter

Also a Boy Name

Sterling is also used as a boy name, ranked #373.

View Sterling as a boy name →

Similar Names

Della Estella Estelle Luella Zella Adella Bella Nella

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling

What does the name Sterling mean?

"of genuine quality, excellent" (from Old English). "little star (possible etymology)" (from Old English steorling). Sterling derives from the Old English 'steorling,' possibly referring to a small star symbol on early Norman pennies, or from a word meaning 'of genuine quality.' Sterling silver refers to the standard of purity (92.5% silver) used in British coinage since the 12th century. As a surname, it became associated with quality and value. As a given name, Sterling has been used for both boys and girls, and its use for girls has grown significantly in the 2010s-2020s alongside other gender-neutral quality names.

What is the origin of the name Sterling?

Sterling has Old English, Old English steorling, English, American, and Scottish origins. In Old English, it means "of genuine quality, excellent". In Old English steorling, it means "little star (possible etymology)".

Is Sterling a boy or girl name?

Sterling is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1117. As a boy name, it is ranked #373. Sterling is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Sterling?

Sterling is pronounced st-ERL-ihng.

How popular is the name Sterling?

Sterling is currently ranked #1117 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Sterling?

Common nicknames for Sterling include Sterl and Ling.

What are good middle names for Sterling?

Popular middle name pairings include Sterling Rose, Sterling Grace, Sterling Marie, Sterling Jade, Sterling Kate, Sterling Mae, and Sterling Wren.

What are good sibling names for Sterling?

Names that pair well with Sterling as siblings include Sloane, Quinn, Greer, Spencer, Rowan, Finley, and Hunter.

How many syllables does Sterling have?

Sterling has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Sterling a common or rare name?

Sterling is an uncommon name, ranked #1117 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Sterling

Sterling is a girl name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "of genuine quality, excellent" in Old English .

Is Sterling a boy or girl name? Sterling is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,117 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #373. Sterling is more commonly used as a boy name.

Sterling is currently ranked #1,117 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Sterling has 2 syllables and is pronounced st-ERL-ihng, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Sterling include Sterl and Ling. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.