Sarai
From Persian سرای (sarây, “courtyard; dwelling; palace”).
Every Sarai since 1953 — 22,925 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sarai
Sarai is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #425 in 2025 with 733 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1953, 22,925 American babies have been named Sarai. Its peak came in 2007, when 818 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Sarai stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sarai year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 733 | #425 | — | — |
| 2024 | 702 | #444 | — | — |
| 2023 | 749 | #408 | — | — |
| 2022 | 737 | #429 | — | — |
| 2021 | 685 | #458 | — | — |
| 2020 | 650 | #473 | — | — |
| 2019 | 728 | #437 | — | — |
| 2018 | 756 | #409 | — | — |
| 2017 | 720 | #440 | — | — |
| 2016 | 645 | #485 | — | — |
| 2015 | 722 | #439 | — | — |
| 2014 | 714 | #449 | — | — |
| 2013 | 725 | #420 | — | — |
| 2012 | 757 | #416 | — | — |
| 2011 | 701 | #443 | — | — |
| 2010 | 741 | #424 | — | — |
| 2009 | 786 | #403 | — | — |
| 2008 | 798 | #404 | — | — |
| 2007 | 818 | #398 | — | — |
| 2006 | 720 | #443 | — | — |
| 2005 | 656 | #464 | — | — |
| 2004 | 623 | #473 | — | — |
| 2003 | 642 | #464 | — | — |
| 2002 | 528 | #518 | — | — |
| 2001 | 480 | #549 | — | — |
| 2000 | 465 | #560 | — | — |
| 1995 | 345 | #631 | — | — |
| 1990 | 220 | #881 | — | — |
| 1985 | 134 | #1,089 | — | — |
| 1980 | 84 | #1,458 | — | — |
| 1975 | 30 | #2,602 | — | — |
| 1970 | 21 | #3,182 | — | — |
| 1965 | 12 | #3,915 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,609 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sarai mean?
From Persian سرای (sarây, “courtyard; dwelling; palace”).
How popular is the name Sarai in 2025?
Sarai ranked #425 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 733 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sarai?
22,925 babies have been named Sarai in the United States since 1953, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sarai most popular?
Sarai peaked in 2007, when 818 newborns received the name.
Is Sarai a boy or girl name?
Sarai is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sarai rising or falling?
Sarai has been roughly stable over the past decade.