Updated October 2024
Across 6 pages
of 6
English
"steep-sided valley"
Like Marvin and Melvin, Sheldon has been perceived as about as far out as you can get, though there are very pretty towns in Devon and Derbyshire that inspired it. Sheldon Lee Cooper is the lead…
Composite of Sara and Lee
"princess; meadow"
The cake company pretty much knocked this otherwise-pretty compilation name out of consideration for most parents.
"blind"
Sisley may look like a modern coinage, building on the fashionable -ley ending, but it's actually a medieval English variant of Cicely or Cecily, which in turn is a variation of Cecilia. Also found…
Place-name or surname
"meeting place"
Stowe, the name of a beautiful mountain town in Vermont as well as the surname of the great author Harriet Beecher, is one of the oldest last names on record. The meeting place the name Stowe refers…
"strong bear cub"
Also spelled as Swithun, this rare choice was notably borne by a 9th-century bishop who became the patron saint of Winchester (England) and of the weather. Said to be the one to pray for during a…
Word name
"person who fires a gun; member of a sports team who scores goals"
More than 300 babies have been named Shooter in the US since 2002, which, depending on who you ask, is arguably about 300 too many. One of the violent names for boys that have gained traction in…
"fair-haired"
If ever there was a one-person name, it's probably Sherlock. But Sherlock Holmes the character has arguably never been hotter: he's been played by Robert Downey Jr., Ian McKellen, Jonny Lee Miller…
"from the willow farm"
Selby, a rarely heard British surname, feels sleeker and more distinctive than Shelby. Todd Selby, known primarily by his last name, is a hip photographer of interiors.
English nickname
"sack, bag"
Chosen by Woody Allen for his son with Mia Farrow (now renamed Seamus), honoring the great old-time baseball player Satchel Paige, and by Spike Lee for his daughter, but far too eccentric for…
"swan"
Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan…
Animal name
"salmon, a fish"
Possibility for fish enthusiasts, but works better for a boy.
"shade"
A daring word name with a touch of mystique, Shadow is an edgy choice for a baby that some may say is best reserved for pets. Nevertheless, it has been appearing in the US stats for girls since 1974…
"bright forest"
Unfashionable surname, best left in the forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
"clearing on a bank"
Despite its poetic associations, almost as dated as Sheldon, and more feminine.
"from the crooked field"
One place-name that doesn't make the cut as a person name, associated with several commercial enterprises. We've seen it used by Chicago Cubs fans — Sheffield is the name of a major street bordering…
"sea defender"
Double whammy: the expression "Seward's folly" and inevitable sewer jokes.
Selvyn is a masculine name of English origin, likely developed as a variant of Selwyn, which combines the Old English elements 'sele' (hall, manor) and 'wine' (friend), meaning 'friend from the manor…
"bold in victory"
New twist on Bennett. Mack Sennett was the early movie director known as the innovator of slapstick comedy.
English, phonetic spelling of St
See ST.
English saint's name
St. JOhn is mainly (but rarely) used by Catholics in England -- there's one in Jane Eyre. This would probably be too cumbersome for most American kids.