Sparrow
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 968 recorded births. Also given to 174 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Sparrow is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English spearwa meaning 'sparrow' — the small, common bird long associated with freedom, community, and the simple joy of being alive.
The sparrow's biblical significance ('not a sparrow falls without God knowing') gives it spiritual depth. Captain Jack Sparrow gave it swashbuckling adventure. Nicole Richie named her daughter Sparrow in 2009. It's a bird name with the humble beauty of things often overlooked — and a name that lifts unexpectedly.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Sparrow belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Sparrow’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sparrow climbed 10450 spots in the last 20 years — from #14004 to #3554.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 289 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 592 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 62 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 20 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Sparrow
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2017, Sparrow is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Sparrow are most likely born between 2007 and 2024.
How rare is Sparrow?
Only about 1 in every 81,818 babies born in 2024 was named Sparrow — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 592 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Sparrow by the numbers
- Would fill 20 school buses
- Meeting one Sparrow per day would take 2.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1977–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 44 | #3554 |
| 2023 | 60 | #2840 |
| 2022 | 61 | #2816 |
| 2021 | 69 | #2553 |
| 2020 | 55 | #2956 |
| 2019 | 68 | #2589 |
| 2018 | 69 | #2553 |
| 2017 | 88 | #2179 |
| 2016 | 67 | #2639 |
| 2015 | 55 | #3085 |
| 2014 | 65 | #2711 |
| 2013 | 67 | #2654 |
| 2012 | 50 | #3309 |
| 2011 | 31 | #4669 |
| 2010 | 32 | #4591 |
| 2009 | 17 | #7638 |
| 2008 | 18 | #7372 |
| 2007 | 5 | #20176 |
| 2006 | 9 | #12300 |
| 2005 | 6 | #16182 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sparrow as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Sparrow has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 174 births since 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sparrow a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sparrow most popular?
How popular is the name Sparrow?
Can Sparrow be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2024