שָׂרָה
Sarah / Sarah
“Princess”
Sarah (שָׂרָה, Sarah) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “princess,” pronounced “sa-RAH.” From the Hebrew שָׂרָה (sarah) meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman,' from the root שׂ-ר-ר (sin-resh-resh) meaning 'to rule, to have authority.' God changed her name from Sarai (שָׂרַי, 'my princess') to Sarah (שָׂרָה, 'princess') in Genesis 17:15.
| Hebrew | שָׂרָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Sarah |
| English Name | Sarah |
| Meaning | Princess |
| Pronunciation | sa-RAH |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Sara, Sarai, Sára, Zarah |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 17:15-16 |
Sarah is the original matriarch — the woman whose laughter at God's impossible promise became the soundtrack of faith fulfilled. Like her husband Abraham, Sarah experienced a divine name change: she was born Sarai ('my princess,' a personal title) and renamed Sarah ('princess,' a universal title) by God Himself (Genesis 17:15). The subtle shift from a possessive name to a regal one signaled that she would be the mother not just of one household but of nations and kings. When she finally held Isaac in her arms at ninety years old, her laughter of disbelief became laughter of astonished joy — proof that God's timing makes the impossible inevitable.
Key Scripture: Genesis 17:15-16
“God also said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her.'”
What Does Sarah Mean in Hebrew?
From the root שׂ-ר-ר (sin-resh-resh) meaning 'to rule, to be a princess.' The name שָׂרָה (Sarah) means 'princess' or 'lady of authority.' The earlier form שָׂרַי (Sarai) included the first-person possessive suffix (-ai, 'my'), giving it the meaning 'my princess.' God's renaming removed the possessive, universalizing her royal identity.
Sarah in the Bible
Sarah is the first matriarch of Israel, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac — the child of promise born when she was ninety. She is the only woman in the Bible whose age at death is recorded (127 years). In Isaiah 51:2, God tells Israel to 'look to Sarah who gave you birth,' establishing her as the spiritual mother of the entire nation.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
In Jewish tradition, Sarah is one of the 'four matriarchs' (along with Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah) invoked in prayer. The lighting of Shabbat candles is traditionally traced to Sarah — the Midrash says that her candles burned from one Shabbat to the next, symbolizing the continuity of sacred light in the home.
Sarah has been one of the most enduringly popular girls' names in the Western world for centuries, regularly ranking in the top 50 across the US, UK, and Europe. In Israel, both Sarah and its modern variants are widely used. It transcends religious boundaries and cultural divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah
What does Sarah mean in Hebrew?
Sarah (שָׂרָה, Sarah) means “Princess” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew שָׂרָה (sarah) meaning 'princess' or 'noblewoman,' from the root שׂ-ר-ר (sin-resh-resh) meaning 'to rule, to have authority.' God changed her name from Sarai (שָׂרַי, 'my princess') to Sarah (שָׂרָה, 'princess') in Genesis 17:15.
How do you pronounce Sarah in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Sarah is “sa-RAH.” The name is written שָׂרָה in Hebrew script.
What does Sarah mean in Hebrew?
Sarah (שָׂרָה) means 'princess' or 'noblewoman' in Hebrew, from the root שׂ-ר-ר meaning 'to rule.' God changed her name from Sarai ('my princess') to Sarah ('princess') in Genesis 17:15, removing the possessive suffix to signal that her royalty would extend beyond one household to nations and kings.
Why did God change Sarai's name to Sarah?
God changed Sarai's name to Sarah as part of the covenant promise that she would be 'the mother of nations' and 'kings of peoples will come from her' (Genesis 17:16). The name change from Sarai ('my princess') to Sarah ('princess') universalized her royal identity — she was no longer just Abraham's noble wife but the ancestress of an entire people.
How old was Sarah when Isaac was born?
Sarah was ninety years old when Isaac was born (Genesis 17:17). Her advanced age is central to the miracle narrative — God promised Abraham a son through Sarah when natural conception was impossible. When she overheard the promise, she laughed — and God said the child would be named Isaac ('he will laugh'), turning her skepticism into eternal testimony.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
More Female Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Female Biblical Names collection
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