boy's name
Sava
SAH-vah
- Origin Aramaic, Slavic
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 4
- Popularity Rare
- Births on record 281
Sava is a boy's name meaning "old man," the Slavic form of Greek Sabbas, from an Aramaic word for an elder. It's especially important in Serbia, where Saint Sava, a medieval prince turned monk, is the national patron and founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
- Sava is a name of Aramaic, Slavic origin.
- Peaked in 2013, when 18 babies were given the name.
- It has been rising over the past decade.
- Today about 1 in 414,422 babies in the United States is given this name.
- First appears in US birth records in 2000.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Sava Over Time
Births per decade in the United States, 2000s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 59 |
| 2010s | 92 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 71 |
What Sava Means
Sava means old man or elder, in the respectful sense of a wise, senior figure. The word honors age and spiritual authority, so it's a title of respect.
Where Sava Comes From
Aramaic saba, an old man, became Greek Sabbas, and Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, a monk of fifth-century Palestine, made it a famous monastic name. Eastern Christians took it from him, and Slavic languages shaped it into Sava. The defining bearer was Rastko Nemanjić, son of the Serbian ruler, who became a monk under the name Sava on Mount Athos and in 1219 became the first archbishop of the Serbian church. The name also appears in Italian and Romanian surnames. Hebrew sava, grandfather, is a close relative, while the River Sava in the Balkans has an unrelated name.
Sava in Use
Saint Sava's Day, January 27, is celebrated in Serbian schools, and the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. The name works for boys and, in some countries, for girls too.
How Popular Is Sava?
In 2025, Sava was given to 8 babies in the United States. It is a rare choice.
Where Sava Is Used
US figures omit any name given to fewer than five babies in a year, so the rarest names are absent from the source rather than absent from use. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Sava
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Sava Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Sava over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Sava
- Pronunciation SAH-vah
Sibling Names for Sava
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Sava — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Sava
What does the name Sava mean?
Old man or elder, from an Aramaic word.
Who was Saint Sava?
A Serbian prince and monk who became the first archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Is Sava a boy's or a girl's name?
It's mainly a boy's name, with some use for girls.
How popular is the name Sava?
In 2025, Sava was given to 8 babies in the United States. It is a rare choice.
How many syllables are in Sava?
Sava has 2 syllables.
When was Sava most popular?
Sava peaked in 2013, when 18 babies were given the name. It has been rising over the past decade.
Is Sava a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Sava currently ranks #9,569 in the United States. It has been rising over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.