What Does the Name Sarah Mean?
The name Sarah is one of the most well-known and revered names in Scripture. Given directly by God to Abram’s wife Sarai, it carries rich meaning, prophetic purpose, and theological depth. Understanding the meaning of Sarah’s name helps illuminate her role in the covenant story and highlights the dignity and importance God placed on her life.
1. The Origin of the Name “Sarah”
Before God renamed her, Abraham’s wife was known as Sarai. But in Genesis 17, during the establishment of the covenant with Abraham, God changed her name:
“As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.”
— Genesis 17:15
This change was intentional and symbolic. It marked a new stage in her life’s calling and revealed God’s plan for her future.
2. The Meaning of the Name “Sarah”
The Hebrew name Sarah (שָׂרָה) is commonly translated as:
“Princess”
or
“Noblewoman / Lady of high rank”
The word comes from a root (śar) meaning “ruler,” “prince,” or “noble leader.”
When God renamed her “Sarah,” He gave her a title that reflected:
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Dignity
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Authority
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Promise
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Honored status in His plan
Unlike her original name Sarai, which likely means “my princess”, the name Sarah has a broader, universal sense—a princess not merely of one household but of many.
3. The Significance of the Change from Sarai to Sarah
a. Removal of the Limiting Possessive
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Sarai = “my princess”
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Sarah = “princess”
The change removes the personal possessive and opens the meaning into something much larger. She is no longer “princess” to a single family or tribe—she becomes a princess in God’s redemptive story, a woman whose influence will reach nations.
b. A Title of Honor
“Sarah” is not simply a personal name—it is a royal designation. In giving her this name, God was declaring her a woman of high status, purpose, and spiritual significance.
4. The Covenant Meaning of Sarah’s Name
The name Sarah is directly connected to the promises God made about her life. Immediately after renaming her, God announced His plan:
“I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
— Genesis 17:16
From this we see that “Sarah” means even more than “princess.”
It means:
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Mother of nations
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Ancestral princess of kings
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Bearer of the promised child (Isaac)
Her name is a prophecy.
5. Sarah’s Name and Her Role in Biblical History
a. Mother of Isaac
Through Sarah, God brought forth Isaac, the child of promise, through whom the covenant line would continue.
b. Ancestor of Kings
Many kings came from Sarah’s lineage:
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The kings of Israel
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King David
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Eventually Jesus Christ, the King of kings
c. A Matriarch of Faith
Sarah is honored in the New Testament for her faith:
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Hebrews 11:11 praises her trust in God despite barrenness.
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1 Peter 3:6 holds her up as a model of strength and character.
Her name symbolizes her spiritual stature as well.
6. The Personal Meaning of “Sarah” in Scripture
Sarah’s name reflects her journey:
• From barrenness to motherhood
A princess who becomes a mother by God’s power—not human effort.
• From doubt to faith
Though she laughed at the promise, she later trusted God’s word.
• From ordinary life to divine purpose
God took a woman who seemed unlikely to bear a nation and exalted her to royal, covenantal importance.
Her new name embodies God’s grace and sovereign choice.
7. Why the Meaning of Sarah Still Matters
The name Sarah carries enduring meaning because it symbolizes:
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Hope when situations seem impossible
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God’s ability to rewrite a person’s destiny
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The honor God gives to those He calls
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The role of women in God’s covenant and redemptive work
Sarah’s story shows that God bestows dignity, value, and purpose on His people—even when circumstances seem hopeless.
8. Summary: What Does Sarah Mean?
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Sarah means “princess,” “noblewoman,” or “lady of high rank.”
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The name reflects royalty, honor, and leadership.
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God Himself gave her this name to declare her role as mother of nations.
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Her name is tied to covenantal promises and divine purpose.
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Sarah’s new identity points to her future descendants, including kings and ultimately the Messiah.