French Names that Start With S
- Sidonie
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from Sidon "Description:
Sidonie is an appealing and chic French favorite that is starting to attract some American fans as a fresher alternative to Sydney. Also spelled Sidony, Sidonie was the birth name of the French novelist Colette.
- Severin
Origin:
French variation of Severus; LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Severine
Origin:
French, feminine variation of Severus; LatinMeaning:
"stern"Description:
This long-popular name in France sounds fresh, elegant and unusual here. Severine is the name of the most recent gorgeous James Bond Girl in the film Skyfall. Students of film history will associate the name with the complex character Catherine Deneuve played in the 1967 Bunuel classic, Belle de Jour..
- Sorrel
Origin:
Botanical name and FrenchMeaning:
"reddish brown"Description:
A fragrant herbal and color name that could make a sensitive, distinctive choice.
- Satine
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"smooth, shiny"Description:
Satine, the name of the Nicole Kidman character in Moulin Rouge,, is, by definition satiny smooth. Jacinda Barrett named her daughter Satine Anais.
- Seraph
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the burning one"Description:
A seraph is a heavenly, angelic being from Ancient Jewish scripture. The Hebrew word literally translates to "the burning one." It can also be considered a diminutive of the name Seraphim.
- Sylvette
Description:
Sylvette is a delicate feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Sylvie or Sylvia, which derive from Latin 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'wood.' The suffix '-ette' adds a sense of daintiness and charm, typical of French naming patterns. The name gained some recognition through Pablo Picasso's series of artwork titled 'Sylvette,' inspired by a young woman he met in 1954. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Sylvette has maintained modest usage in French-speaking regions. The name evokes images of woodland grace and carries a sophisticated European flair while remaining approachable. Its connection to nature aligns with current naming trends favoring botanical and natural elements.
- Sabien
Origin:
Romanian, Bulgarian, Basque, from LatinMeaning:
"from the Sabines"Description:
Sabien is a masculine name with diverse cultural connections, possibly relating to the ancient Sabine people of Italy or deriving from Latin 'sapiens' meaning 'wise.' The name may also be a variation of Sabian or Sabyan, which has connections to an ancient religious group that studied astronomy.
- Sorrell
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"reddish brown"Description:
Soft, amber-hued herbal and autumnal name that's used most often to describe the color of a horse. The proper spelling: Sorrel.
- Silvie
Origin:
Czech from LatinMeaning:
"from the forest"Description:
The sweet Czech form of Sylvia.
- Sandrine
Origin:
French variation of Alexandra, GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Sophisticated French choice. Or toxic petrochemical, as Ross on Friends famously joked when Rachel suggested it for their fictional daughter.
- 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 . 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
- Sidney
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"Saint Denis"Description:
While Sidney in this spelling has a long history as a girls' name, it fell off the Top 1000 from the early 50s until 1990. Then it reemerged as one of the newly chic androgynous names for girls, rising into the Top 300 before falling off the Top 1000 list again in 2016. Sydney is now the more fashionable form.
- Sacha
Origin:
French variation of Sasha, Russian diminutive of Alexander, GreekMeaning:
"defending warrior"Description:
Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls, especially with the Sasha spelling attached to one of the First Daughters. Sacha with this spelling is a Top 20 name for baby boys in France.
- Sojourner
Origin:
French, EnglishMeaning:
"to stay a while"Description:
African-American and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth was born as Isabelle into enslavement. She adopted her new name when she began traveling and preaching abolition in 1843. Sojourner is a heroine name that may, with the rise of spiritual word names such as Journey and Genesis, finally be ready for prime time.
- Sherry
Origin:
Phonetic variation of French Cheri; also a Spanish fortified wineDescription:
Peppy cheerleader name of the 1960s and 70s that's sure to evoke the Four Seasons song of that name.
- Suzette
Origin:
French diminutive of Susannah, HebrewMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Suzette has a kind of clunky retro charm – so kitsch it's almost cool again.
- Sixtine
Origin:
French feminine variation of SixtusMeaning:
"sixth-born"Description:
While Sixtine is a name with ancient roots that's popular in modern-day France, it's hard to imagine it gaining hold in English-speaking lands, given its similarity to the number sixteen and its even-more-problematic similarity to the word "sexting." You wouldn't do that to your daughter.
- Séraphine
Description:
Séraphine is a feminine French name derived from the Hebrew word "seraphim," referring to a celestial being or a type of angel described in Biblical texts. The name carries powerful religious connotations of purity, devotion, and heavenly connection. With its French spelling and accent mark, Séraphine possesses an elegant, artistic quality. While never extremely common, the name has experienced periodic interest in France and French-speaking regions. It gained some international attention through French painter Séraphine Louis. The name combines spiritual depth with a delicate, melodious sound. For parents seeking a name with religious significance wrapped in French sophistication, Séraphine offers a distinctive choice that balances the ethereal with cultural heritage.
- Siffre
Description:
Siffre is an extremely rare masculine name that likely derives from a surname of French origin. It may be related to or derived from the Old French name 'Siffrid' or 'Siegfried,' which has Germanic roots meaning 'victory' and 'peace.' The name gained some recognition through Labi Siffre, a British poet, singer-songwriter, and musician known for his work in the 1970s and his influence on later musicians. As a first name, Siffre remains highly unusual, offering a distinctive choice with artistic associations. The French pronunciation would place emphasis on the second syllable, giving it an elegant, sophisticated sound quality that balances uniqueness with cultural heritage.
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