Names  - Origins 

S

SABINA: Latin for "Sabine woman." Relatives: Sabine, Savina, Saidhbhin, Saba.

SABRA: From the Hebrew "to rest." A Sabra is a lso a native-born Israeli.

SABRINA: From the Latin for "from the border land." It was in the movie Sabrina that a brilliant casting agent brought Audrey Hepburn together with Humphrey Bogart. Hepburn, as everyone knows, played the title role.

SACHA: From the Russian, a pet form of Alexander or Alexandra. Like Mischa, Sacha has become an independent name with a Cyrillic spirit. Relatives: Sasha, Sascha.

SALINA: From the Latin for "by the salt water." Relative: Saleena.

SALOME: From the Hebrew for "peace." Salome was the biblical temptress who demanded (and got) John the Baptist's head on a platter. Relatives: Saloma, Salomi.

SALVADOR: Spanish for "savior." Salvador and Savatore are enduring favorites in Spain and Italy, respectively. Relatives: Salvatore, Sauveur, Sal, Sally. Namesakes: Salvador Dali, Sal Bando, San Salvador.

SAMANTHA: From the Aramaic for "listens well." Bewitching. Relatives: Sammy, Sammi, Sam, Samara. Namesakes: Samantha Eggar, Samantha Fox.

SAMARA: From the Hebrew for "guarded by God" and Latin for "seedling." A pretty choice.

SAMSON: From the Hebrew for "shining man." Buy this child a set of weights early and let him wear his hair long. Relatives: Sampson, Sanson, Sansone, Sam, Sammy. Namesakes: Samson and Delilah, Ralph Sampson.

SAMUEL: From the Hebrew for "His name is God." Samuel has fallen in and out of favor in this century but lately is back -- with a bullet. The little-used Samuele is quite lovely for a girl. Relatives: Samuela, Samuella, Samuele, Samuelson, Samella, Samelle, Sam, Sammy, Sammie, Shemuel, Schmuel, Shem. Namesakes: Samuel Goldwyn, Samuel Adams, Samuel Beckett, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Samuel McKenzie Newman, "Uncle Sam."

SANDERS: Middle English for "Alexander's son." Relatives: Sander, Sandor, Sandy, Sands, Sanderson, Saunders, Saunderson. Namesakes: Sander Vanocur, Sandy Richardson, Tommy Sands, George Sanders, George Sand.

SANDRA: A form of Alexandra. Sandra was in the top twenty in the fifties -- perhaps because of the matinee heroine Sandra Dee. Relatives: Sondra, Sandie, Sandy, Sandee. Namesakes: Sandra Day O'Connor, Sandy Duncan.

SANFORD: Old English for "dweller at the sandy ford." Relatives: Sanborn, Sandy, Sandford. Namesakes: Georg Sanford Brown, Mount Sanford, Chase and Sanborn coffee.

SAPPHIRA: From the Greek for the jewel and the color. Sapphire, the blue gem, is the birthstone for September babies. Relatives: Saphira, Sapphire. Namesake: Sapphira and the Slave Girl.

SARAH: From the Hebrew for "princess." This biblical name has always been popular and deservedly so. It blends beautifully with other names. Relatives: Sara, Sari, Sarene, Sarai, Sarina, Sarine, Sarita, Sairne, Sarett, Salaidh, Sally, Sallye, Salli, Sallie, Sal, Sadie, Sadey, Zarah, Zara, Zaria. Namesakes: wife of Abraham, Sarah Bernhardt, Sara Teasdale, Sally Jessie Raphael, Zara Phillips (daughter of Princess Anne).

SARGENT: From the Old French for "officer." For the hierarchy-conscious child, first take a look at Major. Relatives: Sargeant, Sergent, Sarge. Namesake: Sargent Shriver.

SAUL: From the Hebrew for "asked for." Saul hasn't been able to compete with the more popular Samuel but has held its own since biblical times. Relatives: Sol, Sauly, Solly. Namesakes: King Saul, Saul Steinberg, Saul Bellow.

SAVANNA: Old Spanish for "from the open plain." If Sarah seems too popular, consider Savanna as a change of pace. Relative: Savannah. Namesake: Savannah (Ga.)

SAWYER: Middle English for "woodsman." This occupational name is rarely used but is pleasant sounding. Namesakes: Sawyer Brown, Diane Sawyer, "Tom Sawyer."

SAYER: Welsh for "carpenter." Relatives: Sayers, Sayre, Sayres. Namesakes: Dorothy Sayers, Gale Sayers.

SCARLET: Middle English for "deep red." For "Gone with the Wind" fans, is there another choice? Relative: Scarlett. Namesakes: "Scarlett O'Hara," The Scarlet Pimpernel, "The Scarlet Empress."

SCHUYLER: From the Dutch for "shield" or "scholar." The actress Sissy Spacek chose this name for her baby girl. Sky is a captivating nickname. Relatives: Skyler, Skylar, Sky, Skye, Ciel. Namesakes: Schuyler Huntoon, James Schuyler, Isle of Skye.

SCOTT: Old English "from Scotland." Scott peaked in the seventies but has held steadily in the top-fifty list -- especially as a second name. Relatives: Scot, Scotty, Scottie, Escott. Namesakes: Scott Joplin, Scott Carpenter, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sir Walter Scott.

SCULLY: Irish Gaelic for "town crier." A "scull" is a small, lightweight rowboat and sculling is an Olympic event. This name would work well for the child of an oarsperson. Namesake: Vincent Scully, "Dana Scully."

SEABERT: Old English for "sea-glorious." Relatives: Seabright, Sebert, Seberg, Seabrook, Seabury, Sea. Namesakes: Samuel Seabury, Jean Seberg.

SEAN: Irish form of John. This name has become so popular (for girls as well as boys) that it no longer seems distinctly Irish. Relatives: Shawn, Shaun, Shawna, Shaune, Sian. Namesakes: Sean O'Casey, Sean Connery, Sean Penn, Sean Young.

SEASON: From the Latin for "planting time." Spring, Summer, and Winter work well, so why not consider Season? Namesake: Season Hubley.

SEATON: Old Anglo-French for "from Baron's estate" and English for "sea town." Relatives: Seeton, Seton, Seetin. Namesakes: Elizabeth Seton, Ernest Thompson Seton, Seton Hall.

SEBASTIAN: From the Latin for "revered one." Sebastian is the patron saint of archers and pin makers. This is a superb name and worthy of a comeback. Relatives: Sebastiane, Sebastianne, Sebastiana, Sebastien, Sebastiona, Bastien, Bastian. Namesakes: Saint Sebastian, Sebastian Cabot, John Sebastian, "Sebastian Flyte."

SELBY: Old English for "of the manor house farm." Think about this for a girl. Relatives: Selden, Seldon, Selwin, Selwyn.

SELENA: From Greek for "moon." Selena is an ancient, mythological name for the goddess of the moon. Relatives: Selina, Selene, Selinda, Selly, Sellie, Sela, Selia, Sena, Celena, Celina, Celene, Celie, Celia. Namesake: Selina, Countess of Huntingdon.

SENNETT: From the French for "wise one." This could be interpreted as akin to naming your child Congress or President. Then again, why not? Relatives: Senet, Senta. Namesakes: Mack Sennett, Senta Berger.

SEPTIMA: From the Latin for "seventh born." If you have six already, celebrate with this enchanting name. Relatives: Septimus, Seven. Namesake: Lilibet Septima.

SERAPHINA: From the Hebrew for "afire" or "angel." This exotic name can be shortened to Sara until she is old enough to "carry" Seraphina. Relatives: Serafina, Sarafina, Serafine, Seraphine, Seraphim, Sera, Sara.

SERENA: From the Latin for "peaceful one." For the contented child. Relatives: Serene, Serenity.

SERGE: From the Latin for "attendant." Sergius is a widely revered saint in Russia. Relatives: Sergei, Sergius. Namesakes: Sergei Prokofiev, Sergei Eisenstein.

SETH: From the Hebrew for "appointed." Seth was popular with the Puritans and so is about due for a revival. Try it on a girl. Namesakes: third son of Adam and Eve, Seth Thomas.

SEWARD: Old English for "from the sea." Relatives: Sewell, Severn. Namesakes: Anna Sewell, Seward's Folly, Severn River (Britain).

SEYMOUR: Old French contraction for Saint Mauer and Old English for "tailor." A distinguished name with Olde English flair. Relatives: Seymor, Seemour, Sy, Skip. Namesakes: Seymour Chwast, Jane Seymour.

SHAINA: From the Yiddish for "beautiful." Relatives: Shaine, Shanie, Shayne, Shayna, Shanna, Shana. Namesake: Shana Alexander.

SHANNON: Irish Gaelic for "wise one." A distinctive choice for a girl or boy. Relatives: Shanley, Shandy, Shanahan, Shanon, Shanna, Shane, Shana, Sean, Shan. Namesakes: Del Shannon, Shane, River Shannon (Ireland).

SHARON: From the Hebrew for "princess" or "of the plain." The popularity of Sharon dropped sharply after World War II. Relatives: Sharen, Sharyn, Sharron, Charon, Sharry, Shari, Sherry. Namesakes: Shari Lewis, Ariel Sharon, "The Rose of Sharon."

SHAW: Old English for "a grove." Namesakes: George Bernard Shaw, Artie Shaw.

SHEA: Irish Gaelic for "ingenious" or "majectic." Relative: Shay. Namesakes: Milo O'Shea, John Shea, Shea Stadium.

SHEEHAN: Irish Gaelic for "little peaceful one." Relative: Sheen. Namesakes: Fulton Sheen, Martin Sheen.

SHEENA: Irsih Gaelic for "God's grace." Namesakes: Sheena Easton, "Sheena, Queen of the Jungle."

SHEILA: Irish Gaelic for Cecilia. In Australia, "sheila" is a generic term for woman. Relatives: Sheilah, Sheela, Sheelah, Shelah (Hebrew for "request"), Selia, Sheilagh. Namesake: Sheila MacRae.

SHELLEY: Old English for "sloping meadow." Nifty for a girl; spiffy for a boy. Relatives: Shelly, Shelli, Shell, Shelby, Sheldon, Shelton. Namesakes: Shelley Winters, Shelley Long, Shelley Berman, Percy Bysshe Shelley.

SHEPHERD: From the Old English for one who herds sheep. Shep is a darling nickname. Relatives: Shepard, Sheppard, Shepley, Shep. Namesakes: Shep Woolley, Alan Shepard, Sam Shepard.

SHERIDAN: Irish Gaelic for "wild one." Namesakes: General Philip Sheridan, Richard Sheridan, "Sheridan Whiteside."

SHERLOCK: Old English for "white-haired." Oh, if only deerstalkers came in infant sizes. Namesake: "Sherlock Holmes."

SHERMAN: Old English for "wool cutter." This is a grand name, but Sherm is not an easy nickname to carry. Relatives: Sherwin, Sherborne, Sherm. Namesakes: Sherman Billingsley, Sherman Helmsely, Sherwin Williams, Sherman Oaks (Calif.)

SHERRY: From the French for "cherished." Sherry is also a type of wine named for the Spanish town of Jerez and, like Brandy and Margaux, is used as a girl's name. Relatives: Sherrey, Sheri, Sherrie, Cherie, Sherye, Sheree, Cherry. Namesake: Sherry Lansing.

SHERWOOD: Old English for "bright forest." Robin Hood's favorite haunt. Namesakes: Sherwood Anderson, Robert Sherwood.

SHIPLEY: Old English for "from the deep meadow." Relative: Shipton.

SHIRA: From the Hebrew for "song." Relatives: Shirah, Shiri.

SHIRLEY: Old English for "from the bright meadow." Relatives: Shirlee, Sherlie, Shurlie, Shirleigh, Shirleen, Sherey, Shirl, Shurl, Shir. Namesakes: Shirley Temple, Shirley Booth, Shirley Jones, Shirly MacLaine.

SHOSHANNAH: From the Hebrew for "rose." An exquisite choice for traditionalists who like the concept of "Rose." Relatives: Shoshanna, Shoshana, Shoshanah, Shosha. Namesake: "Shosha."

SHULAMITH: From the Hebrew for "peaceful" and a form of Salome. Relative: Shulamit. Namesake: Shulamith Firestone.

SIBYL: From the Greek for "prophetess." In anceint times Sibyls were thought to be capable of predicting future events. Imagine a sibilant sibling named Sibyl with a multiple personality. Relatives: Sybyl, Sybil, Sybille, Sibille, Sibylle, Sibeal, Sybilline, Sibby, Sibbi, Sib, Cybil, Cybill. Namesakes: Sybil Thorndike, Cybill Shepherd, Sibyl.

SIDDELL: Old English for "from the wide valley." Relatives: Sydell, Sidwell.

SIDNEY: Old French contraction of Saint Denis. This name has always ben used interchangeably for girls and boys as well as for place names. Relatives: Sydney, Sydny, Sid, Sidne, Sidoney, Sidonia, Siddie, Syd, Sydell, Sidell, Sydel. Namesakes: Sidney Poitier, Syndey Biddle Barrows, Sid Caesar, Sir Philip Sidney, Sydney (Australia).

SIGMUND: Old German for "victorious protector." Don't overanaylze your ultimate choice for a name. Go with one you like. Relatives: Siegmund, Sigismond, Sigismundo, Siegfried, Sigfrid, Siffre, Sigvard, Siggy, Ziggy. Namesakes: Sigmund Freud, Siegfried Sassoon, "Ziggy Stardust."

SIGRID: Old Norse for "winning adviser." Relatives: Sigrath, Sigwald, Sigurd.

SILAS: From the Latin for "wood." Put Silas on the birth certificate and call him Woody. Namesake: Silas Marner.

SIMON: From the Hebrew for "listener." Simon says consider Simon. Relatives: Simeon, Siomonn, Sim, Shimon. Namesakes: Saint Simeon, Simon Bolivar, Paul Simon, Shimon Perez, "Simon Legree."

SIMONE: From the Hebrew for "listener." Long popular in France, this pretty name could withstand more usage. Relatives: Simona, Simonette. Namesakes: Simone Signoret, Simone de Beauvoir.

SINCLAIR: A French contraction of Saint Clair. There are several contractions akin to Sinclair (such as Sinjon for St. John). Sinclair would work well for a girl, too. Namesakes: Sinclair Lewis, Upton Sinclair.

SKEET: Middle English for "speedy." Skeets are also the clay "birds" used in target shooting. Relatives: Skeets, Skeat, Skeeter. Namesake: Skeeter Davis.

SKIPP: Old Norse for "ship owner." Skip is often used as a nickname in lieu of a more formal given name. It also stands well alone and proves convenient if you own a boat or a kangaroo. Relatives: Skipper, Skippy, Skip.

SLOAN: Irish Gaelic for "warrior." Has a distinctive pedigreed ring to it. Relative: Sloane. Namesakes: Sloan Wilson, John French Sloan.

SMITH: From the Old English for "hammer worker" or "artisan." This is such a popular surname, it's a wonder it isn't invoked more often for a first name. Relatives: Smyth, Smythe, Smitty, Smits. Namesakes: Bessie Smith, Smith-Barney, John Smith, Smith & Wesson.

SNOWDEN: Old English for "from the snow-covered hill." Because it means so much to their way of life, Eskimoes have hundreds of words for "snow." Relatives: Snowdun, Snow. Namesakes: Lord Snowden, Edgar Snow.

SOLOMON: From the Hebrew for "peaceful." Solomon was a king of Israel famous for his profound wisdom. Relatives: Soloman, Salomon, Salmon, Sholem, Shalom, Sholom, Schlomo, Shlomo, Solly, Sol (Latin for "sun"). Namesakes: Solomon Guggenheim, Salmon Chase, Sholem Aleichem, Sol Hurok, Solomon Brothers, Song of Solomon.

SOMERSET: Old English for "where the summer people settle." A marvelous name with rich poetic undertones. Relatives: Somerton, Somerville, Somer, Summer. Namesake: Somerset Maugham.

SOPHIE: Greek for "wisdom." Once considered a bit dowdy by some, Sophie has rightfully charged up the popularity lists in recent years. Bette Midler selected it for her baby girl. Relatives: Sofie, Sophy, Sophia, Sofia, Sonja, Sonya, Sophronia, Sadhbh. Namesakes: Sophie Tucker, Sophia Loren, Sonja Henie, Sophie's Choice, Red Sonya.

SPALDING: Old English for "from the divided meadow." Relative: Spaulding. Namesakes: Spalding Grey, Spalding sporting goods.

SPENCER: Middle English for "provider." This is a name with integrity and sincerity. Relatives: Spenser, Spence. Namesakes: Spencer Tracy, Spencer Christian, Edmund Spenser, "Spenser for Hire"

SPRING: Old English for the season. Only Fall seems to stretch the use of seasonal names too far. Winter, Summer, and Autumn as well as Season have been used. Namesake: Spring Byington.

STACEY: From the Latin for "stable." An unlikely derivation for so pretty a name. Stacey is used for either sex. Relatives: Stacy, Staci, Stasia, Stasya, Tasia. Namesakes: Stacy Keach, Stacy Ladislaw, James Stacey.

STANISLAUS: Slavic for "stand in glory." Relatives: Stanislav, Stanislas, Stanislavsky, Stan, Aineislis. Namesakes: Saint Stanislaus, Stanislaus Richter, Konstantin Stanislavsky.

STANLEY: Old English for "from the rocky meadow." This name was cat in bronze when Tennessee Williams chose it for his brutish hero in "A Streetcar Named Desire." Relatives: Stanly, Stanleigh, Stanbury, Stanberry, Standish, Stanfield, Stanford, Stanhope, Stanmore, Stanton, Stanway, Stanwick, Stanwyck. Namesakes: Stanfield Turner, Stanford White, Stan "The Man" Musial, Stan Laurel, Stanley and Livingston, Miles Standish, Barbara Stanwyck, Stanley Cup.

STEIN: German for "stone." A stein is also an earthenware mug designed to hold a pint of beer. Relatives: Steyn, Stine, Styne, Steiner, Steen, Steinway, Steinbeck, Steinberg, Steinmetz. Namesakes: Stein Erickson, Gertrude Stein, Jule Styne, John Steinbeck, Saul Steinberg, Steinway pianos.

STELLA: Latin for "star." If the child seems unfazed by the lights, camera, and action in the delivery room, this might be the right choice for your little star. Relatives: Stela, Stellar, Star, Starr, Starla, Starling. Namesames: Stella Stevens, Stella Adler, Star Lawrence, Bart Starr, "Stella Dallas," "Brenda Starr."

STEPHANIE: From the Greek for "crowned." This dark horse has emerged as a leader in recent years. Relatives: Stefanie, Stephania, Stephana, Stephanya, Steffie, Steffi, Stef, Stepha, Stefa, Fannie, Fanny. Namesakes: Saint Stephana, Stephanie Zimbalist, Stefanie Powers, Steffi Graf.

STEPHEN: From the Greek for "crowned." You can't go wrong with Stephen. It has endured the slings and arrows of decades of popularity polls. Relatives: Stephan, Steven, Stefan, Stefano, Steve, Stevie, Stephens, Stevens, Stevenson, Stephenson, Etienne, Esteban, Estevan. Namesakes: Stephen Crane, Stephen King, Stevie Nicks, Steve McQueen, Stevie Wonder, Stefan Edberg.

STERLING: From the Middle English for "pure" and Old Welsh for "from the yellow house." Perfect for the baby born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Relative: Stirling. Namesakes: Sterling Moss, Sterling Hayden, sterling silver, British Sterling.

STERNE: Middle English for "serioius-minded." Some babies have the serious-minded look even moments after birth. This might just work. Relatives: Stern, Stearn, Stearne. Namesakes: Laurence Sterne, Isaac Stern.

STEWART: Old English for "steward" and Scottish clan name. This elegant old family name, a royal one in Scotland, is always in good taste, as long as you don't mind the inevitable Stew or (worse!) Stewie. Relatives: Stuart, Steward, Stew, Stu. Namesakes: Stewart Granger, Jackie Stewart, James Stewart, "Stuart Little."

STOCKLEY: Old English for "from the tree-stump meadow." Relatives: Stockton, Stockwell, Stockman, Stokley Stockard. Namesakes: Stokley, Carmichael, Stockard Channing, David Stockman, Stockton (Calif.)

STORM: From the Old English for "tempest." An appropriate name for a child born in the middle of one. Relatives: Storme, Stormy, Stormie. Namesakes: Storm Field, "Stormy," "Stormy Weather."

STROUD: Old English for "from the thicket." Relatives: Stroude, Stod. Namesakes: Don Stroud, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz).

SULLIVAN: Irish Gaelic for "black eyes." Sullivan is much more popular as a surname but makes a nice first name, too. Relatives: Sullyvan, Sully. Namesakes: John L. Sullivan, Ed Sullivan, Susan Sullivan.

SUMNER: Middle English for "summoner." Relatives: Sumenor, Sumnor, Summer. Namesakes: Sumner Welles, James Sumner, Gordon Sumner (aka Sting.)

SUNNY: From the English for "bright disposition" or "cheerful." Relatives: Sunnie, Sunnee, Sonny, Sunday. Namesakes: Sunny von Bulow, Sonny Bono.

SUSAN: From the Hebrew for "lily." Susan has been a persistently favorite choice in the twentieth century. The more traditional Susannah is particularly melodic. Relatives: Susanne, Suisan, Susanna, Susannah, Suzanne, Suzanna, Shoshannah, Sosana, Susette, Suzette, Sue Anne, Sue Ellen, Susy, Susie, Soos, Suzy, Suzie, Soozie, Sue, Suki ("beloved" in Japanese), Sukie, Sukey, Zsa Zsa. Namesakes Saint Susanna, Susan Sontag, Susan B. Anthony, Suzanne Somers, Zsa Zsa Gabor, crepes suzette, Suzy Q, "Oh, Susannah."

SUTHERLAND: Old Norse for "people from the south land" and a clan name. It would be safe to assume that, for Norwegians, everyone they encountered was from the south. Relatives: Sutton, Sutcliff, Suffield, Sundy. Namesakes: Donald Sutherland, Joan Sutherland, Rick Sutcliff, Sutton Place (N.Y.)

SVEN: From the Scandinavian for "youth." Remember that first names should jibe with surnames. And Sven jibes best witih surnames having Scandinavian roots. Relatives: Swen, Svend, Svenson, Svensen, Swensen, Swenson. Namesake: Bo Svenson.

SWAIN: Middle English for "knight's attendant." The word "swain" is used in poetry of earlier centuries to describe a young man from the country. Relatives: Swaine, Swayne, Swayze. Namesakes: Patrick Swayze, Swains Islands (American Samoa).

SWEENEY: Irish Gaelic for "little hero." Sweeney Todd was the infamous barber of Fleet Street. Relative: Sweeny.

SYLVESTER: From the Latin for "from the forest." This name has jumped in popularity since Sly Stallone has become so familiar to moviegoers. Relatives: Silvester, Sylvestro, Silvestre, Sly, Silvanus, Silas, Syl, Sil. Namesake: "Sylvester the cat."

SYLVIA: From the Latin for "from the forest." Sylvanus was a mythological patron of woodcutters and farmers. Relatives: Silvia, Silvie, Sylvie, Silva, Sylva, Silvana, Sylvana, Zilvia. Namesakes: Sylvia Plath, Sylvia Porter.

~ THE BEST NAME FOR YOUR BABY: A CREATIVE GUIDE TO PROPER NAMES, by Barbara Binswanger and Lisbeth Mark. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1990.