Sara is a Hebrew name meaning “princess” or “noblewoman”, used in Arabic as Sārah, where it also echoes sarra, “to delight”. Muslims honour Sarah (peace be upon her) as the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim and the mother of the Prophet Ishaq. In 2025 Sara was 110th and Sarah 131st among girls’ names in England and Wales.
What does Sara mean?
Sara comes from the Hebrew Sarah, “princess” or “noblewoman”. In Genesis, her name is changed from Sarai to Sarah when she is promised a son (Genesis 17:15). In Arabic the name is spelled Sārah, and because it sounds like the Arabic verb sarra, “to delight, to make happy”, some Arabic name books give the meaning “one who brings joy”. That is a meaning Arabic speakers hear in it rather than its origin.
How do you pronounce Sara?
In Arabic, say SAA-ra, with a long first “a”. In English, Sara and Sarah are usually said SAIR-a. Many families use the Arabic pronunciation with the spelling Sara.
How do you spell Sara? Spellings and variants
- Sara: common in Muslim, Scandinavian, Spanish and Italian families.
- Sarah: the classic English spelling.
- Saara (showing the long vowel), Sarra (North Africa), Zara is sometimes linked to it too (see Zara).
How popular is Sara in the UK?
Sara and Sarah are both just outside the top 100 in England and Wales. Together they would comfortably be in it.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara | 110 | 427 | down 13 places |
| Sarah | 131 | 371 | down 1 place |
Sarah (peace be upon her) in Islam
Sarah was the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, who travelled with him when he left his homeland. The Qur’an tells how angels visited Ibrahim with the good news of a son, Ishaq, and a grandson, Ya’qub. Sarah, standing nearby, laughed in amazement: “Shall I give birth while I am an old woman, and this, my husband, is an old man?” The angels replied, “Do you wonder at the decree of Allah? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house” (11:71–73).
The Qur’an refers to her as Ibrahim’s wife rather than by name; she is named in the hadith, which tell how Allah protected her from a tyrant king during their travels (Sahih al-Bukhari 2217). Through her son Ishaq came many of the Prophets of the Children of Israel, including Ya’qub, Yusuf, Musa and Isa.
Her husband Ibrahim’s story is one of the five in the Hudhud book; read the story of Ibrahim for kids.
Muslims honour both wives of Ibrahim: Sarah, the mother of Ishaq, and Hajar, the mother of Isma’il, whose search for water between Safa and Marwah is retraced by every pilgrim on Hajj and Umrah.
What middle names go with Sara?
What are nicknames for Sara?
Sasa, Sari and Sar.
What are good sibling names for Sara?
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does Sara mean in Islam?
Sara means “princess” or “noblewoman” (from Hebrew). Arabic speakers also link it with sarra, “to delight”. Muslims honour Sarah as the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim.
Is Sara mentioned in the Qur’an?
The Qur’an tells her story, laughing in amazement at the news of her son Ishaq (11:71–73; 51:29), but calls her Ibrahim’s wife rather than naming her. She is named in the hadith.
Is Sara a Muslim name?
Yes. Sara is used by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike, and Muslims honour Sarah as the wife of Ibrahim, whom Allah protected from a tyrant king (Sahih al-Bukhari 2217). In Arabic it is written سارة.
Is it Sara or Sarah?
Both are correct. In England and Wales in 2025, Sara ranked 110th (427 girls) and Sarah 131st (371 girls) (ONS). Sara is often preferred to match the Arabic pronunciation.
Is Sara a popular name in the UK?
Yes, though less than it was. Sarah was a top-20 name in 1996 and has fallen since, while Sara has stayed close to the top 100 for several years (ONS).
How do you pronounce Sara in Arabic?
SAA-ra, with a long first “a”, as in “father”. Sasa and Sari are common nicknames.
What are good sibling names for Sara?
Hajar, Maryam, Hana and Layla for sisters; Ibrahim, Ishaq, Ya’qub and Yusuf for brothers, linking to her family in the Qur’an.