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German Names that Start With S

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Saxon

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "people of the dagger"

    • Description:

      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.
  2. Selma

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "godly helmet"

    • Description:

      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.
  3. Stefan

    • Origin:

      German, Scandinavian, Polish, and Russian variation of Stephen

    • Description:

      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.
  4. Severin

    • Origin:

      French variation of Severus; Latin

    • Meaning:

      "stern, serious"

    • Description:

      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.
  5. Sigmund

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "victorious protection"

    • Description:

      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...
  6. Siegfried

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "victorious peace"

    • Description:

      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.
  7. Silvan

    • Description:

      Silvan is a masculine name derived from Latin 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'woodland.' It relates to the Roman deity Silvanus, who was the god of woods and wild fields. The name carries nature-based connotations of forests, trees, and woodland settings, making it appealing to parents drawn to names with environmental themes. Silvan has variations across European languages, including Silvanus (Latin), Silvano (Italian/Spanish), and Sylvan (French-influenced spelling). While never extremely common, the name has maintained steady usage particularly in German-speaking regions, parts of Eastern Europe, and among families with Romanian heritage. Silvan has a gentle yet masculine quality, offering a subtle nature connection without being overtly trendy.

  8. Sascha

    • Origin:

      German variation of Sasha

    • Meaning:

      "defending warrior"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      German form of Celia or Cecilia, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly or blind"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      German variation of Sasha

    • Meaning:

      "defending warrior"

    • Description:

      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.
  11. Silvester

    • Origin:

      Latin, "wood, forest"

    • Meaning:

      "wood, forest"

    • Description:

      More commonly spelled as Sylvester in English speaking countries, Silvester is closer to its Latin origins silva .
  12. Simmy

    • Description:

      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.
  13. Susanne

    • Description:

      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.
  14. Seifert

    • Description:

      Seifert is primarily a German surname that occasionally appears as a masculine given name. Deriving from Middle High German, it combines elements meaning 'victory' and 'peace' or 'protection.' As a surname, it's relatively common in Germany, Austria, and among populations with Germanic heritage. When used as a first name, Seifert is quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name carries connotations of strength and nobility from its etymological roots. Pronounced as "ZAI-fert" in German, the name has a strong, distinguished sound. While unconventional as a given name, Seifert represents a trend of surname-to-first-name transitions seen in various naming traditions. It projects a serious, distinguished character with strong Germanic cultural associations.
  15. Selig

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "blessed, happy in life"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "someone who achieves glory or fame"

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Senta

    • Origin:

      German feminine diminutive of Roman name Crescens

    • Meaning:

      "to grow"

    • Description:

      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.
  18. Stefani

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Stephanie

    • Description:

      Germans spell Stephanie with an f though the i ending is not traditional. Lady Gaga dropped the Stefani and No Doubt's Gwen sports is as a surname. Despite the celebrity connections, we say if you want to name your daughter Stephanie, name her Stephanie.
  19. Salomo

    • Description:

      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.
  20. Stefanie

    • Description:

      Stefanie is a feminine name that represents a German and Dutch variation of Stephanie, ultimately derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." This elegant name carries connotations of victory and honor from its ancient Greek origins. Stefanie gained particular popularity throughout Europe and North America during the 1970s and 1980s, though it has gradually become less common in recent decades. The spelling with an 'f' rather than 'ph' gives the name a distinctive European flair while maintaining its recognizable sound. Stefanie offers a perfect balance between familiarity and uniqueness, making it approachable yet not overly common. Notable bearers include German singer Stefanie Heinzmann and Austrian actress Stefanie Reinsperger.