Girl · 94th of 35,406
Sierra
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
100,380
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1998
Peak Popularity Year
5,853
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sierra stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Sierra originates from the Spanish language, meaning 'mountain range'. It has evolved from Spanish into English and has become popular in recent decades as a nature-inspired name. The name is associated with beauty and strength, reflecting its mountainous roots. There is no biblical relevance connected to it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/siˈɛrə/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
The name Sierra is derived from the Spanish word for 'mountain range' or 'saw', referring to the jagged peaks of mountains.
Meaning
mountain range
Language Evolution
Sierra (Spanish), Sierra (English)
Historical Usage
The name Sierra became popular in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a nature-inspired name.
Variants & Derivatives
Sierah, Siarra
Modern Popularity & Image
Sierra is often perceived as a trendy and nature-inspired name, evoking images of beauty and strength associated with mountains.
Famous People
Sierra McClain, American singer and actress, Sierra Boggess, American actress and singer
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,853 peak births in 1998
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6435th of 10718 | 35 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5006th of 16616 | 144 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9737th of 24088 | 90 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3609th of 9204 | 117 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4988th of 12526 | 116 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1559th of 19264 | 1,017 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 133rd of 27321 | 35,056 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 94th of 35406 | 55,550 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 462nd of 30306 | 8,255 |