An elegant, continental name for the post-Steve era. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 1949 and has been on the list every year since except for a year off in 2008.

Selma has recently been given a more youthful spin via actresses Selma Blair and Salma Hayek. But while Selma has not yet become popular again in the US, it is widely used in both Sweden and Norway.

In Europe, this name is mostly male, but here it's more fashionable for girls. It's a diminutive of Alexander.

Severin is an ancient Roman family name borne by several early saints. It's still alive throughout Europe, and could be ready for import here. Severin Winter is a wrestling prodigy character in John Irving's The 158-Pound Marriage and, in its original Latin form, Severus Snape appears in Harry Potter.

Saxon is unusual word name that nevertheless feels right on trend, with that sharp X in the middle and that two-syllable-ending-in-n pattern. Reminiscent of Roman but not yet so popular, Saxon is one to watch out for.

Also spelled Zilke, Silke is a common German short form for variations of Cecilia and Celia.

More commonly spelled as Sylvester in English speaking countries, Silvester is closer to its Latin origins silva . Sharing a root with Silas, Sylvia, and Sylvie, this form saw occasional use in the US in the early 20th century, and may be used in Slavic countries, such as Czechia and Slovakia

Susanne is a feminine name representing a French and German variation of Susan, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Shoshana meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' With its elegant double 'n' and silent 'e' ending, Susanne offers a sophisticated European flair compared to the more straightforward Susan or Suzanne. The name enjoyed modest popularity throughout the mid-20th century, particularly in Germanic and Scandinavian countries. Susanne carries the same gentle, timeless quality as other forms of the name while providing a distinctive spelling. The name has musical associations through Leonard Cohen's famous song 'Suzanne,' which has sometimes been rendered as 'Susanne' in translations. With its balanced two-syllable structure and soft consonants, Susanne presents an option that feels both classic and refined, appealing to parents seeking a name with cross-cultural appeal and enduring elegance.

Irrevocably tied to long-lived, controversial South Carolina senator Strom (born James) Thurman; Strom, which sounds like an anagram of Storm, was his mother's maiden name. With a stretch, you might consider this one of the German names for boysthat's also a nature name.

Simmy is a playful masculine name that typically functions as a diminutive of Simon, Simeon, or similar names derived from the Hebrew 'Shimon,' meaning 'he has heard.' With its cheerful '-y' ending, Simmy has an endearing, friendly quality that transitions well from childhood to adulthood. While sometimes used as a nickname, Simmy has established itself as a given name in its own right in some communities. The name has seen occasional use in Jewish families and in British English-speaking regions. Simmy carries a light-hearted, approachable energy while maintaining connections to its more formal counterparts. Its simplicity and warm sound make it appealing to parents seeking a name with an affectionate quality and easy pronunciation.

Selig comes from the Yiddish vocabulary word meaning 'happy, fortunate, blessed.' Most of us are more familiar with its Woody Allen variation, Zelig.

The connection to Freud is a strong one, but this German name has a strong and interesting sound and great nickname potential: Ziggy, Iggy, Sim, Sid...

A long-haired classical conductor name, which could appeal to parents looking for a Laszlo-like appellation. A name of Slavic origin, it has a powerful and uplifting meaning.

Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.

Senta is a lovely name, but if you name your daughter Senta, will the kids call her Santa? Maybe, but this obscure yet simple German name for girls.may appeal to parents searching the untraveled name routes.

Also spelled Sigfrid, this hefty German name has an appropriately majestic meaning: "victorious peace". Fittingly, a famous bearer was the English World War I poet and pacifist Siegfried Sassoon. Sassoon was named after the hero of a Wagner opera, which in turn was based on a tragic hero from German legend.

Suse is a feminine name with Germanic origins, primarily serving as a diminutive form of Susanne or Susanna, which derive from the Hebrew name Shoshana meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This short, sweet variation has been used across German-speaking regions of Europe for centuries. While not as common as other Susan derivatives like Susie or Sue in English-speaking countries, Suse maintains popularity in Germany and parts of Switzerland. The name carries a gentle, classic quality while still feeling somewhat distinctive. Pronunciation typically follows German phonetics as 'ZOO-zuh,' though it may be adapted to 'SOOS' in English-speaking regions.

Stephanine is a feminine name derived from the Greek name 'Stephanos,' meaning 'crown' or 'garland.' It represents a creative variation of more common forms like Stephanie or Stephania. While not as widely used as its root forms, Stephanine offers a distinctive twist on a classic name while maintaining its elegant essence. The name carries connotations of achievement and victory, as crowns were traditionally awarded to winners and those worthy of honor. Stephanine remains relatively uncommon, giving it a unique quality for those seeking a name with traditional roots but an individual flair.

Salomo is a masculine name that represents a variation of Solomon, which comes from the Hebrew name Shlomo meaning 'peace' or 'peaceful.' This particular form of the name is common in Finnish, German, and various Scandinavian languages. The biblical King Solomon, son of David, was renowned for his wisdom and wealth, giving the name associations with intelligence and judicious leadership. Unlike the more common English version Solomon, Salomo maintains a distinctive international flair while connecting to the same rich historical and biblical heritage. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, it offers parents a cross-cultural option with ancient roots and positive connotations of wisdom and harmony.