How Many People Are Named Sara?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Sara

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 3,986 living people in the United States currently have the first name Sara. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 4,508 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #562 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~3,986CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)4,508Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#562U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1999 (100 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~3,986
Historical Births (SSA)
4,508
All-Time Rank
#562
Historical Peak
1999

Key Insights for Sara

Estimated Living Bearers
~3,986 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#562
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
1999
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
0% Male · 100% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-24%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~498 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Sara

Living Population Model
~3,986

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
4,508

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,974

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
27.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1999

Highest annual total: 100 registrations in 1999.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-24%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Sara has experienced a 24% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Sara (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1999 (~100 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201085085
201183083
201280080
201378078
201475075
201571071
201668068
201765065
201862062
201959059
202056056
202153053
202249049
202346046
202443043

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
6/100
1950s
9/100
1960s
18/100
1970s
40/100
1980s
71/100
1990s
98/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
76/100
2020s
26/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Sara is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (100% female births).

Male: 0% (~0 births)Female: 100% (~4,508 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Sara

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Sara in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Sara appeared 3,974 times, ranking #481 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,974 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#481
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Sara Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~498 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~49812.5%
Texas (TX)~3679.2%
Florida (FL)~2716.8%
New York (NY)~2436.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1594%
Illinois (IL)~1553.9%
Ohio (OH)~1433.6%
Georgia (GA)~1323.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 3,986 people named Sara are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 27.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Sara: 27.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Sara

How many people in the U.S. are named Sara?

Approximately 3,986 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Sara. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 4,508 birth applications for Sara between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Sara?

Sara ranks #562 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Sara as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Sara most popular in America?

The name Sara reached its peak historical popularity in 1999, when 100 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Sara?

Sara has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Sara?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Sara is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (100% female births).

Where is the name Sara most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Sara resides in California, with approximately 498 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Sara in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Sara appeared 3,974 times in census returns, ranking #481 in official 2020 returns.

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