Sarah in Chinese
Sarah in Chinese is 萨拉 (Sà Lā).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- princess
Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin, generally understood to mean "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 Sara, which share the transliteration 萨拉.
3 ways to write Sarah
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
萨拉
Sà Lā
The standard transliteration of Sarah: 萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 萨 (sà) carries "sa", 拉 (lā) carries "rah". 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')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
嘉仪
Jiā Yí
Inspired by "princess": 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy") + 仪 (yí, "bearing, grace; ceremony"), expressing nobility and greatness.
Why these characters?
Because Sarah is linked to "princess", the name leads with 嘉 (excellent, praiseworthy); 仪 (bearing, grace; ceremony) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
- 仪
yí
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
bearing, grace; ceremony
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
萨嘉
Sà Jiā
萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')") + 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy"): 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 嘉 ("excellent, praiseworthy") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
25 strokes total (simplified)- 萨
sà
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')
- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Sarah
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Sarah ranked 91 among names recorded for girls, with 16,944 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 1,073,895 girls named Sarah since 1880, with the high point in 1982 (28,484 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #6 to #62 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1982
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,073,895
More About Sarah in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Sarah 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 Sarah, you'll find options that work for you.
Sarah is also spelled Sara — 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 Sara in Chinese, Sadie in Chinese, and Jessica in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Ashley in Chinese, Emily in Chinese, Jennifer in Chinese, Amanda in Chinese, and Elizabeth in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Sarah, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Sarah 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
What is Sarah in Chinese characters?
萨拉 (Sà Lā), or 薩拉 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Sarah with real meaning?
Try 嘉仪 (Jiā Yí): excellent, praiseworthy + bearing, grace; ceremony, inspired by "princess". For something that still sounds like Sarah, 萨嘉 (Sà Jiā) is a middle ground.
How popular is the name Sarah?
US Social Security records show 1,073,895 girls named Sarah since 1880, with the high point in 1982 (28,484 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #6 to #62 among girls.