Updated October 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
French from Hebrew
"burning ones"
Seraphine is the Gallic version of the angelic name Seraphina. But while Seraphina has been rising rapidly since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their second daughter, Seraphine has been…
Hebrew
"peace"
Supermodel Shalom Harlow glamorized this name, which is heard as a greeting every day in Israel.
"sun"
This name, once considered overly powerful due to the superhuman strength of the biblical figure, is now an option for parents in search of an unusual route to Sam. But you really don't need that p:…
Arabic, Persian, Hebrew
"dawn, morning, awakening; crescent"
A soft, strong name, commonly heard in the Middle East, Sahar is an Arabic and Persian name, associated with dawn and beginnings, and a Hebrew name, meaning "crescent", in turn linking it to the…
Diminutive of Simone or Simcha
A nickname in the Siri and Suri vein, Simi seems a bit simulated but also has some charm, ala Remi and Emmy. And Simi definitely cutens up the serious sophisticated long forms Simone or Simcha.
"rock"
Sela is a Biblical place name, the original term for the city of Petra, which is finding new life through actress Sela Ward, star of several TV series. The young daughter of singer Lauryn Hill is…
Hebrew, diminutive of Samantha, or Arabic
"praised"
Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.
Diminutive of Samantha
"told by God"
Sam as a name standing on its own was given to only 18 girls in 2021, versus over 400 boys. But as a short form it's appealing and down-to-earth for both sexes, and heard far more often: There were…
"God's presence; dwelling place of God"
A spiritually significant choice, Shekinah is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling", and has been by Jewish scholars to refer to place of divine presence. While it isn't a…
Hebrew, variation of Sarah
"princess"
Sera is a truly international variation heard in Hebrew-speaking, Spanish and Italian cultures. Sera can also spelled Serah. Sera might also be a short form of Seraphina. While Sera may rightly be…
Italian and Spanish diminutive of Sara, Hebrew
Sarita is a delicately pretty name all but unknown in the US, where it can make an original honor name for an ancestral Sara....or Rita. Rita is a midcentury favorite tiptoeing back into style among…
"fiery"
This ephemeral name of the loving angels surrounding the throne of God is all but unheard of in the US, although its feminine forms Seraphine and Seraphina are catching on. In Russia, it's long been…
"name"
This down-to-earth Bible name is surprisingly little-used, considering the popularity of other Old Testament names. Shem was Noah's eldest son, and is the origin of the term Semitic (as in the…
Hebrew variation of Sarah; also Japanese
"chaste"
The late actress Sada Thompson introduced this obscure but usable form.
Hebrew, Spanish, Latin
"peace; sun"
A unisex choice with multiple origins, Soli might be considered a variation (or a diminutive) of the Biblical Solomon, a stately Hebrew name meaning "peace". Additionally, it may connect to the…
"he who defends"
Hebrew name with a bright sheen.
"God is gracious"
More modern options: Shaw, Shay, or even Sean.
Spelling variation of Shoshana, Hebrew
"lily"
Shoshanna is a variation of one of the best-known original Hebrew baby names for girls , the original of Susanna. This is the spelling used by Shoshanna Lonstein, a designer who creates the Shoshanna…
Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, Hebrew
"sun; solemn; peace"
A sparky, summery name, Soli likely derives from the Spanish and Portuguese name Sol, itself taken from the word for "sun". As such, it may also relate to the Italian Sole and French Soleil.…
"prickly pear"
Term for a native-born Israeli, first brought to notice in Edna Ferber's 1929 novel Cimarron. Prickly pear has been interpreted to mean tough on the outside, soft and sweet within.