Irish Names that Start With S

  1. Shaun
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Sean
    • Description:

      Shaun is the least popular spelling of the once-wildly popular name, more usually spelled Sean or Shawn. Parents who have a reason to choose this name now would (and should) most likely go with the original Sean. Alternate spelling Shawn is four times more popular.
      Shaun (and Shawn) were considered the feminized spelling of the name back when it was becoming a unisex name in the early 1970s. In all spellings, Sean has become once again decidedly masculine.
  2. Sheridan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "searcher"
    • Description:

      Sheridan is one surname-name that hasn't come into style for either gender, though it was lightly used for boys around the turn of the 20th century and girls 100 years later. The name does have an attractive sound and an appealing meaning.
  3. Sullivan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dark eyes"
    • Description:

      Stylish and boyish but could work for a girl -- especially one with brown eyes -- and Sully is a quirky and jaunty nickname.
  4. Sinead
    • Origin:

      Irish form of Janet
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      One of the best known of the Irish girls' names, thanks to singer Sinead O'Connor. Though it's still in the Irish Top 100, it's no longer quite as fashionable in Ireland as Aoife or Aisling. But by now everyone in the Western World knows it's pronounced shin-aid and so would have no trouble fitting in on an American playground.
  5. Sadbh
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "sweet; goodly"
    • Description:

      Sadbh is the modern Irish form of the more streamlined but equally confusing Sadb or Sadhbh: these names are pronounced to rhyme with five. In Irish mythology Sadb or Sadbh or Sadhbh, a goddess lover of Finn McCool's, was turned into a deer only to vanish and (somewhere in there) give birth to Oisin.
  6. Shawn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Sean
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Shawn is one name that's become less unisex and more distinctly male over time in all its spellings, given to only 14 baby girls and over 500 boys in the US in the most recent year counted. But at its peak in the early 1970s, it was a Top 200 baby name for girls in the US, given to nearly 2000 baby girls... and 12,000 boys in this spelling alone.
  7. Sweeney
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "the little hero"
    • Description:

      The double 'e' gives this Celtic surname a genial sound. It derives from an old Irish name — Suibhne (SHEEV-ne) that was borne by several early saints and kings, including, unfortunately, one known as Mad Sweeney who spent his life living in trees and composing nature poetry. Another possible drawback is the association with Sweeney Todd, the bloodthirsty butcher of Sondheim stage-musical fame.
  8. Sheena
    • Origin:

      Anglicization of Sine; Irish variation of Jane
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Animated Gaelic name popularized by singer Sheena Easton, also brings to mind Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, the Amazonian comic book and TV series heroine. Sine is considered to be and English equivalent of Jane or Jean.
  9. Shane
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Sean or Shannon
    • Description:

      As a boy's name, Shane is related more directly to the 50s movie cowboy and the Irish name Sean; for a girl, it might be a variation on Shannon, Shana, or Shawn. Parenthood star Erika Christensen named her daughter Shane. Another spin, used by Eddie Murphy, is Shayne.
  10. Sorley
    • Origin:

      Irish from Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "a summer sailor"
    • Description:

      Sorley is an anglicization of the Irish name Somhairle, itself derived from the Old Norse Sumarliði, a nickname for a summer traveler (perhaps meaning a viking raider!). It is sometimes used as a boy name in Britain, but very rarely in the US. The similarity to the word "sorely" may put some off, but we still think it makes a jaunty, unusual surname-style option.
  11. Siobhán
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Lovely Irish name which has inspired many Anglicized variations, but using the original form preserves the integrity of one of the most beautiful Gaelic girls' names.
  12. Síle
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "blind"
    • Description:

      The Irish Gaelic form of Cecilia, which is the origin of the Anglicized version Sheila, which subsequently became very popular across the English-speaking world.
  13. Seana
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "god is gracious"
    • Description:

      More streamlined – and more authentic – than Shawna.
  14. Somhairle
    • Shanahan
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "the wise one"
      • Description:

        Undiscovered Irish surname with a lot more bounce and masculine dash than Shannon.
    • Scully
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "herald or town crier"
      • Description:

        Relaxed, with an appealing touch of swagger.
    • Sheehan
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "peaceful"
      • Description:

        Has a decidedly Roman Catholic feel, thanks to the bishop.
    • Seanán
      • Origin:

        Irish diminutive of Sean
      • Description:

        This name of twenty early Irish saints sounds a little redundant.
    • Saraid
      • Shamus
        • Origin:

          Anglicized spelling of Séamus
        • Description:

          See SEAMUS.