How Many People Are Named Sierra?

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

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,199 living people in the United States currently have the first name Sierra. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,722 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #470 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,199CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,722Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#470U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2000 (160 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,199
Historical Births (SSA)
5,722
All-Time Rank
#470
Historical Peak
2000

Key Insights for Sierra

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,199 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#470
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2000
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
96.8% Male · 3.2% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~650 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Sierra

Living Population Model
~5,199

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

Total Recorded Births
5,722

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

2020 Decennial Census
3,133

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

Estimated Average Age
21.1 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2000

Highest annual total: 160 registrations in 2000.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-9%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Sierra has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

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

Peak Era: 2000 (~160 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
20101531458
20111511438
20121491427
20131471407
20141451387
20151421357
20161401337
20171371307
20181351287
20191321257
20201311247
20211271216
20221241186
20231221166
20241191136

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

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
3/100
1950s
5/100
1960s
8/100
1970s
18/100
1980s
32/100
1990s
45/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
88/100
2020s
39/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Sierra is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (96.8% male births).

Male: 96.8% (~5,539 births)Female: 3.2% (~183 births)

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

Origin & Meaning of the Name Sierra

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Sierra in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Sierra appeared 3,133 times, ranking #498 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,133 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#498
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Sierra Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~650 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)~65012.5%
Texas (TX)~4789.2%
Florida (FL)~3546.8%
New York (NY)~3176.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2084%
Illinois (IL)~2033.9%
Ohio (OH)~1873.6%
Georgia (GA)~1723.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,199 people named Sierra are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 21.1 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 Sierra: 21.1 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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sierra

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

Approximately 5,199 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Sierra. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,722 birth applications for Sierra between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Sierra?

Sierra ranks #470 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Sierra comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Sierra most popular in America?

The name Sierra reached its peak historical popularity in 2000, when 160 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Sierra?

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

What is the gender breakdown for the name Sierra?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Sierra is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (96.8% male births).

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

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Sierra resides in California, with approximately 650 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

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

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Sierra appeared 3,133 times in census returns, ranking #498 in official 2020 returns.

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