Sava Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SAH-vah /ˈsɑː.və/
Origin: Slavic; Hebrew
Meaning: Savior (Hebrew); Peace (Slavic)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sava has its roots in the Hebrew name "Shabbat," which means "to cease" or "to rest." This name was adopted into Greek as "Sabas," and subsequently into Latin as "Sabas," before making its way into various Slavic languages. The name is notably associated with Saint Sava, a significant figure in Serbian history and the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the 13th century.
His contributions to the establishment of Christianity in Serbia and the promotion of education and culture have made the name Sava particularly revered in Serbian tradition. Saint Sava, born in the late 12th century, is celebrated for his role in the Christianization of the Serbian people and is often regarded as a national hero.
His life and works were chronicled in various hagiographies, which helped to solidify his legacy within the Orthodox Christian tradition. The establishment of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1219 under his leadership marked a crucial milestone in the religious and cultural identity of Serbia.
His feast day is celebrated on January 27, and he is often depicted in religious iconography, further embedding the name Sava in the cultural consciousness of the region. The name Sava carries significant cultural resonance, symbolizing peace, rest, and spiritual leadership.
It is often associated with qualities of wisdom and guidance, reflecting the historical figure of Saint Sava as a teacher and reformer. In addition to its religious significance, the name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with diminutive forms such as Savi or Savaj appearing in some Slavic languages.
The enduring legacy of Saint Sava and the name's historical roots contribute to its lasting importance in Serbian and broader Slavic culture.
Famous people named Sava
In this section, you will find notable people named Sava. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Sava who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sava who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Sava Savanović is a character from Serbian folklore best known as a vampire legend.
Sava II of Serbia is a historical figure best known as a Serbian Orthodox bishop and saint.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sava, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Sava was first seen in the United States in 2000.
Sava has ranked as high as #11084 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Sava has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sava is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Sava was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Sava.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2011 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2010 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2008 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2007 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2002 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Top States for Sava
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.