Sarai is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, primarily known from the Old Testament as the original name of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. The name means "my princess" in Hebrew, a possessive form of שָׂרָה (sara) meaning "lady, princess, noblewoman". According to Genesis 17:15, God changed Sarai's name to Sarah at the same time Abraham's name was changed, as a sign of the covenant. Etymology and Historical Use The Hebrew root שָׂרָה (sara) conveys nobility and leadership, with the suffix indicating possession. The name is linked to the word שַׂר (sar) meaning "prince" or "chief". In a separate etymological development, "Sarai" also appears as the name of two medieval cities that served as capitals of the Golden Horde, derived from the Persian word sarây for "courtyard" or "palace". This has led to the alternative spellings Saraj and Saray in some contexts. Cultural Significance In the Hebrew Bible, Sarai is the matriarch of the Jewish people. Originally barren, she became pregnant at age 90 and gave birth to Isaac. The name change from Sarai to Sarah (also meaning "princess") is seen as symbolizing a shift from personal possession to a national role. The name Sarai is used in Christian and Jewish traditions but less common as a contemporary given name compared to Sarah. Linguistic Forms The Spanish variant Saray is a phonetic adaptation preserved in modern usage. In Latin and English Bibles, the name appears as Sarai in most translations of Genesis. Related Names The name is a diminutive variant of Sara originally, though it predates its root in biblical narrative. Notable Geographical Association Beyond its biblical origin, Sarai was the name of two historically significant cities—Sarai Batu and Sarai Berke—which served as capitals of the Golden Horde in the 13th–15th centuries in what is now Russia. This homonymic occurrence often leads to shared interest by historians. Meaning: "my princess" Origin: Hebrew Type: First name Usage regions: English, Spanish, Hebrew, Latin Bibles