It is a consistently popular given name across Europe, North America,[1] and the Middle East — being commonly used as a female first name by Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, and remaining popular also among non-religious members of cultures influenced by these religions.

In Hebrew, Sarah (שָׂרָה) is the feminine form of the noun Sar (שַׂר), which commonly translates to "chief", "ruler" or "prince".

Sarah was ranked among the top 10 names from 1978 to 2002, reaching a plateau of popularity from the early 1980s to 1988.

Every year since and including 1989, it has fallen in popularity, but it remained the 30th most–popular name for newborn girls in 2010.

[1] In 2014, Sarah ranked as the tenth most popular female baby name in Ireland.