Splendid Girl Names That Start With S
A name says a lot about a person, so choosing one isn't the easiest task. Girl names that start with S can be soft, sassy or sophisticated, so we included something for everyone.
Do any of these sibilant selections make your shortlist of baby girl names?
Sophia
Origin: Greek
The name Sophia has been on the Social Security Administration's top 10 baby name list for over a decade. Its Greek roots mean "wisdom," and it's gone in and out of style since the Middle Ages. There's a saint named Sophia as well as plenty of celebrities. It can also be spelled "Sofia" instead, like in the animated Disney show "Sofia the First." Call sweet Sophia "Sophie" for a cute nickname.
Stella
Origin: Latin
In Latin, Stella means "star." It wasn't until Sir Philip Sidney used the word as a character name in a collection of poems in 1590 that it became popularized. Stella is arguably more unique than similar names like Isabella or Ella, especially since it has literary roots.
Stella was infamously yelled out in "A Streetcar Named Desire," and numerous actors have selected it for their daughters, including Tori Spelling and Ellen Pompeo.
Sutton
Origin: English
Sutton is still used as a last name in England, originally referring to families living in the south. Sutton is on the posh, preppy side, evoking an image of strolling down rainy London streets in a pair of yellow boots. Little Sutton is bound to enjoy tea parties, don't you think?
Sage
Origin: Latin
The word sage is synonymous with both wisdom and an aromatic herb. Sage was first used in reference to the seven wise sages of Greece: Solon, Thales, Bias, Cleobulus, Periandros, Pittacus and Chilon.
Today, it's more closely associated with the spice. In addition to adding rich flavor to your favorite dishes, sage was once thought to have healing properties. Wisdom and healing? Sounds good to us as a gender-neutral name for a baby boy or girl.
Scarlett
Origin: English
Scarlett Johansson and Scarlett O'Hara both contributed to the rise of this popular name that starts with S. Scarlet is obviously a shade of red, but the word was first used to describe a type of luxury wool cloth made in medieval Europe. It was most commonly made in a vibrant shade of red.
The fiery name has plenty of attitude, and we totally get why it's one of the most popular girl's names starting with S.
Sadie
Origin: Hebrew
Sadie doesn't sound like an ancient Hebrew name, and that's because it's not. It's a variation of a name that is: Sarah. Sarah and its playful diminutive Sadie mean "princess," and this royal name has been all the rage in England over the past few years.
Selene
Origin: Greek
Selene speaks soft words of serenity and sophistication. It was the name of the moon goddess in Greece, a parallel to the Roman goddess Luna. The name Selene has a uniquely peaceful sound to it, like watching the ripples of a gentle breeze on a moonlit bay.
Soleil
Origin: French
Almost the opposite of Selene is the French-derived Soleil. This rare name that starts with S means "sun." New babies bring light and warmth to the world, just like the first rays of morning sunlight. Perfect.
Sana
Origin: Hindi
Sana used to be a rarely used name in the states, but it's become much more popular of late. With Arabic and Hindi roots, Sana means "brilliant" or "praise." It's a fantastic choice to help your little girl remember to let her inner light shine bright.
Suri
Origin: Persian
Another girl name starting with S that was once uncommon in the states, Suri gained popularity after Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes selected it for their little girl in 2006. Another variation of the name Sarah, it means "princess" or "red rose." It has a certain richness and mystery to it that makes a statement.
Saorise
Origin: Irish
Saoirse isn't the easiest to spell if you're used to American phonetics, but in Ireland, it's a well-known classic baby name. It first popped up in the 1920s, derived from the Gaelic word for freedom.
Thanks to actress Saoirse Ronan, it's becoming more common in the U.S., too. It's in the top 1,000 baby names, but it's still uncommon enough to stand out. Bonus points if you have Irish ancestry.
Shannon
Origin: Irish
The Shannon river is the longest waterway in all of Ireland, flowing for more than 200 miles until it meets the stormy Atlantic shore. Shannon appropriately means "old, wise one." The name comes from the legend of Sinann, a mortal woman who supposedly sought out the Well of Knowledge. When she opened it, she did so much too quickly, and it burst open to create the River Shannon.
This S girl name was much more popular in the early 2000s, but it remains in the top 100 in Northern Ireland even today.
Stevie
Origin: Greek
Stevie sounds more like the name of an edgy rock 'n' roll star than a Greek goddess, but the name does come from a Greek word. Stephanos means "crown," so it makes sense that it's inspired more than one talented individual to achieve greatness. In addition to Stevie Nicks, baby Stevie also has the iconic soul singer Stevie Wonder to look up to.
Scout
Origin: Old French
A century ago, using Scout as a name would have seemed odd. After Harper Lee chose it as the name of her young protagonist in "To Kill a Mockingbird," though, Scout became an eccentric, yet intriguing choice for fans of classic literature. The name has French roots meaning "to listen" or "to discover," inspiring your little one to explore the world around them.
Skyla
Origin: Dutch and American
Skyla sounds like a nature-inspired name, but it actually comes from the Dutch surname Schuyler. It's meaning? Scholar. This bookish name is perfect for families with a background in academia. As a bonus, it evokes images of clouds rolling across the sky at dusk. Beautiful.
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