The first name Sterling

In 2025, 24 boys were named Sterling, making it the 1,197th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2022, with 25 births (#1,104).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Sterling with other names.

In 2025, 944 boys born in the United States were named Sterling, the 346th most popular boys’ name that year.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Sterling Hayden
  American actor (1916–1986)
• Sterling K. Brown
  American actor, born 1976
• Sterling Knight
  American actor, singer, songwriter, director, comedian and musician, born 1989
• Sterling Morrison
  American musician (1942–1995)
• Sterling Holloway
  American actor (1905–1992)
• Sterling Price
  American politician and Confederate States Army general in the Civil War (1809–1867)
• Sterling Beaumon
  American actor, born 1995
• Sterling Jerins
  American actress, born 2004
• William Sterling Cole
  American politician (1904-1987)
• Sterling Brown
  American basketball player (born 1995)
• Julius Sterling Morton
  American politician (1832-1902)
• Sterling Campbell
  American drummer, born 1964

What does the name Sterling mean?

See Stirling.

How popular is the name Sterling?

In 2025, 24 boys born in England and Wales were named Sterling, ranking 1,197th. Its peak was 2022, with 25 births.

Is Sterling a boy's or a girl's name?

Both. Of the 41,197 US babies named Sterling since 1880, 9% were girls and 91% boys.

When was Sterling most popular?

2025 in the United States, when 944 babies were named Sterling, its highest rank at 346th.

How do you pronounce Sterling?

Sterling is /ˈstɝ.lɪŋ/, 2 syllables.

Is Sterling also a surname?

Yes. Sterling is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.