Sara in Chinese
Sara in Chinese is 萨拉 (Sà Lā).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- princess
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "princess". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s. Spellings pronounced the same way include Sarah, which share the transliteration 萨拉.
3 ways to write Sara
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
萨拉
Sà Lā
The standard transliteration of Sara: 萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 萨 (sà) carries "sa", 拉 (lā) carries "ra". The tone contour is 4-1 (falling, high level).
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 萨
sà
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
瑞仪
Ruì Yí
Inspired by "princess": 瑞 (ruì, "auspicious, lucky") + 仪 (yí, "bearing, grace; ceremony"), expressing nobility and greatness.
Why these characters?
瑞 (auspicious, lucky) answers the "princess" in Sara's meaning, and 仪 (bearing, grace; ceremony) rounds it off as a typical ending for girls' names.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 瑞
ruì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
auspicious, lucky
- 仪
yí
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
bearing, grace; ceremony
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
萨若
Sà Ruò
萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')") + 若 (ruò, "like, as if"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 萨 (sà), the same opening character as the transliteration 萨拉, for the "sa" sound, and replaces the rest with 若 ("like, as if") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 萨
sà
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')
- 若
ruò
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
like, as if
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Sara
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Sara ranked 189 among names recorded for girls, with 9,558 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 422,998 girls named Sara since 1880, with the high point in 1981 (11,356 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #34 to #158 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1981
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 422,998
More About Sara in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Sara offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Sara, you'll find options that work for you.
Sara is also spelled Sarah — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
Names with the same root meaning include Sadie in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Sarah in Chinese, Sadie in Chinese, and Brianna in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Amy in Chinese, Jasmine in Chinese, Mary in Chinese, Allison in Chinese, and Ava in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Sara, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Sara to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Sara translated into Chinese?
萨拉 (Sà Lā), or 薩拉 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Sara?
US Social Security records show 422,998 girls named Sara since 1880, with the high point in 1981 (11,356 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #34 to #158 among girls.
Do Sara and Sarah have the same Chinese name?
Yes. Both are written 萨拉, because Chinese transliteration follows pronunciation rather than English spelling.