Sterling is a great choice for parents looking for a baby name that shines. Posh and preppy, this name has roots in Britain, Scotland, and Normandy. And in present-day popular culture, Sterling stands out from the crowd. Sterling Malory Archer is the protagonist of the iconic sitcom Archer, and Mister Sterling is a popular television drama. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.
Meaning and Origin of the Name Sterling:
Sterling has several important etymologies. The most popular definition of Sterling is “genuine,” “excellent,” or “highest quality”. This definition comes from the Old English stær (meaning “star”) and the suffix -ling (meaning “little”). It referred to the starred symbol of authenticity on Norman silver coins. In this context, Sterling is also related to the Old French word esterlin.
Sterling is also a variation on the name of a bird (starling). In this way, it is similar to names like Robin, Wren, and Jay. Finally, Sterling is also a transferred use of the Scottish surname (Stirling). This name combined the Gaelic srib and linn to mean stream or lake dwelling. One of the most famous historical associations with this name was the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Symbolism of the Name Sterling:
Sterling means “genuine,” “highest quality,” or “little star”. The name began during the Norman Empire to authenticate coins. Symbols for Sterling include the silver hallmark and the Norman star.
Nicknames for the Name Sterling:
Sterling has no shortage of great nicknames! Some great ones include Silver, Star, and Starry. A lot of these nicknames shine as bright as Sterling! Take a look at this list of great Sterling nicknames and pick your favorite:
- Ster
- Stir
- Sterry
- Silver
- Star
- Ling
- Erling
- Ster
- Earl
- Stars
- Starry
- Ster-fry
- Sting
- Sterls
- Silvers
Style of the Name Sterling:
Traditional
Gender of the Name Sterling:
Sterling is a boy's baby name.
Pronunciation of the Name Sterling:
STUR-ling
Number of Syllables in the Name Sterling:
Two
Emotion Evoked From the Name Sterling:
The name Sterling evokes feelings of wealth and regality.
Alternative Spellings for the Name Sterling:
- Starling
- Stirling
Popularity of the Name Sterling:
According to the Social Security Administration index, Sterling was the 401st most popular baby name for boys in 2022.
Related names for the name Sterling:
Great middle names for Sterling and their meanings:
- Andre (manly)
- Callum (dove)
- Floyd (grey)
- Kirby (church settlement)
- Lionel (lion)
- Nicholas (victory of the people)
- Roderick (famous ruler)
- Toby (God is good)
- Winston (joy stone)
Famous people with the name Sterling:
- Sterling Foster Black (lawyer)
- Sterling Kelby Brown (actor)
- Sterling Alex Hitchcock (baseball player)
- Sterling Sandmann Knight (actor)
- Sterling Burton Marlin (stock car racing driver)
- Sterling Dominic Plumpp (poet)
- Sterling Clay Shepard (football player)
- Sterling Lauren Simms (singer)
- Sterling Feore Slaughter (baseball player)
Sterling in popular culture:
- Sterling Malory Archer (protagonist of the sitcom Archer)
- Sterling Golden (original ring name of Hulk Hogan)
- Mister Sterling (early 2000s television drama)