What Does the Name Sterling Mean?
Sterling is a unisex name of English (Old English) origin meaning “little star / of high quality.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Sterling |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | English (Old English) |
| Meaning | little star / of high quality |
| Variants | Stirling, Sterlin, Sterlyn |
| Popularity | Most popular in the United States, where it is used mainly for boys but appears for girls as well. |
The meaning and origin of Sterling
The name Sterling means “little star / of high quality” and has English (Old English) origins. Sterling is an English surname and word name, most likely from Old English 'steorling,' a coin marked with a little star ('steorra'), giving rise to 'sterling' meaning genuine and of high quality. It is now used as a given name evoking excellence.
Variants and related names
Sterling is related to several other names you may recognize: Stirling, Sterlin, Sterlyn. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Sterling?
Most popular in the United States, where it is used mainly for boys but appears for girls as well.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sterling mean?+
The name Sterling means “little star / of high quality” and is of English (Old English) origin.
What is the origin of the name Sterling?+
Sterling originates from English (Old English).
Is Sterling a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Sterling has trended in the US over time.
Sterling by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press