Sarah
Meaning: Princess; noblewoman
Origin: Hebrew — from Sarah (שָׂרָה), meaning princess or lady of high rank
Gender: Girl
Rank in Ireland: #2
Total births: 30,971
History: Sarah became one of Ireland's most popular names from the 1980s onward, frequently topping the birth charts through the Celtic Tiger years. While biblical in origin, it was embraced across Ireland from the terraces of Croke Park to classrooms in every county. The name appealed to Irish parents seeking something both classic and contemporary during a period of rapid modernisation. Sarah is found in birth registers from the Rotunda in Dublin to maternity wards in Galway and Cork.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Ireland’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2025) | #66 |
| Babies named Sarah in 2025 | 78 |
| Total recorded in Ireland | 30,971 |
| Peak year | 1987 (1,024 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #1 |
| Years in records | 1964–2025 (62 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 36 spots |
Frequently asked about Sarah
What does the name Sarah mean?
Sarah means “Princess; noblewoman” from Hebrew — from Sarah (שָׂרָה), meaning princess or lady of high rank roots.
What is the origin of the name Sarah?
Sarah has Hebrew — from Sarah (שָׂרָה), meaning princess or lady of high rank origin. The traditional meaning is “Princess; noblewoman”.
How popular is Sarah in Ireland?
Sarah ranked #66 in Ireland in 2025 — given to 78 babies that year.
When was Sarah most popular?
Sarah peaked in 1987 with 1,024 babies registered that year in Ireland.
Is Sarah a boy or girl name?
Sarah is predominantly a girls' name in Ireland — over 90% of Sarahs in registered births are female.
Is the name Sarah rising or falling in popularity?
Sarah has fallen 36 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Ireland — from #30 in 2020 to #66 in 2025.
How long has Sarah been recorded in Ireland?
Sarah appears in birth records in Ireland across 62 years — from 1964 through 2025.