Unique Names that Start With S

Ultimately derived from the Old Norse word for star, Stjärna is the Swedish form. Pronounced as SHA-na or KHA-na (kh like the sound in loch) depending on where you are in Sweden, it is a rare word name option, predominantly used as a middle name. Stjarna is the Icelandic form.

Stjärna

A rare Biblical name that may appeal to fans of Shephard, Jedediah, Shiloh, and Hezekiah, Shephatiah is borne by at least nine minor figures in the Bible. These include a son of King David, a servant of Solomon, and a Benjaminite warrior. 
 
Derived from the Hebrew shafaṭ meaning "to judge" and yah referring to God, the name may be translated to "God is my judge" or "Yahweh judges".

Shephatiah

An alternative to Holiday, Journey, Sunshine, or Peregrine, Sojourn is an unexpected word name with links to the Civil Rights activist, Sojourner Truth. Born Isabelle, she adopted the name in the 1840s when she began travelling to preach abolition. A candidate for the middle spot, perhaps, Sojourn has both a worthy namesake, and an aspirational, travel inspired meaning.


Sojourn

A modern name, likely invented by influencers Catherine Paiz and Igor Ten, who chose it for their daughter in 2026, Sea'vanna is possibly a blend of the word "sea" with the vanna element of Giovanna, Ivanna, or Savannah. As such, it could mean "God's gracious sea" or "sea and grassy plain".

Sea'vanna

A rare Biblical name that may appeal to fans of Shiloh and Ari, Shimri is borne by a number of minor figures, including a descendent of Simeon, the father of one of David's warriors, and one of the Levites who helped cleanse the Temple in Judah following the reign of King Ahaz. 
 
The name can be interpreted as "guarded", "guard", " guarded by Yahweh" or "guard of Yahweh, Meaning "guarded" or "guarded by Yahweh".

Shimri

A spirited name that features in Virgil's Aeneid, Sinon was borne by a Greek warrior (and cousin of Odysseus) who convinces the Trojans to bring the Trojan Horse into the city. The name also appears in the 2026 movie, The Odyssey, in which the character, played by Elliot Page, is abandoned at Troy.
 
Meaning "mischievous" from the Greek sinos, it could make an interesting alternative to Simon.

Sinon

Also known as Lacadaemon, Sparta was an city state in Ancient Greek, notable for its military power. Sharp and cool, Sparta may appeal alongside Rome, Spencer, Palma, Sutton, and Scottlyn along with Persephone, Leda, and  Calypso. Yet to appear in the US stats, Sparta is believed to have derive from the Greek word for rope, inspired by cords that were traditionally laid to show the city's boundaries. 

Sparta

Yet to rank in the US stats for any gender, Sparta is the name of an Ancient Greek city, notable for its military strength. Also known as Lacadaemon, the name Sparta is believed to come from the Greek word for "rope", inspired by the cords that were originally laid to show the city's boundaries. 
 
An unexpected choice for sure, Sparta may nevertheless fit in with the likes of Rome, Versailles, or Cairo.

Sleek and smooth like Sylvie, soft and sweet like Effie, mystical like Selkie, Sylphie made its debut to the US stats in 2025, following the 2024 debut of Sylphiette. Derived from sylph, it refers to a type of invisible air spirit (as introduced in the 16th-century works of Paraclesus), and to a variety of hummingbirds.

Sylphie

Whimsy yet sharp word name Sky meets popular Lainey and more classic Elaine in the contemporary name. It debuted in the US stats in 2025 when 9 girls received the name. 

Skylaine

A unique virtue name with a sound as happy and lively as its meaning. 

Serendipity

Solomon and Sol meet Selwyn and Edwin in this rare and summery name. While it could be considered a variation of Selwyn (meaning "manor friend"), it could also be viewed as a combination of several different elements, including the Latin and Old Norsesol, the Old English wine, and the Welsh gywn.
 
As such, it could mean "sun friend" (from Old Norse and English) or perhaps "sun blessed" (from Old Norse and Welsh), both providing the name with a hint of poetry. Alternatively, it could be inspired by Solomon ("peace") or Solange (via sollemnia "religious, solemn"), giving the further meanings "peaceful friend", "solemn friend" or "peaceful and blessed".

Solwyn

Typically used as a nickname for Saffron, Saffy could equally be used for Serafina, Sapphire, Safiyya, or even Sofia for those looking for something unexpected. Also spelled as Saffie, this particular form appears in the title of the 2001 children's book, Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

Saffy

Skylar and Sky meet Shiloh, Mylo, Arlo, and Kylo in this modern creation, which made its US debut in 2025. Given to 13 boys, it could be interpreted as meaning "of the sky" (from the word), "scholar" (from Skyler and Schuyler), "sky hill" (when considered as a spin on Arlo or Harlow), or "sky soldier" (if viewed as a mash up of Milo and Sky).

Skylo

Likely an alternative transliteration of the Turkish and Persian name Sanaz, Sonnaz is notably borne by Sonnaz Nooranvary, an upholsterer who stars on the TV show, The Repair Shop.
 
The name could derive from the Persian elements sa and naz, which together could mean "like sweetness" or "resembling delicateness". Alternatively, it could be a blend of the Turkish san and az meaning "likeness" and "few", which might then be interpreted as "unique, rare, individual".
 
Used occasionally in Turkey and Iran, Sonnaz is also the name of place in France.

Sonnaz

A rare choice that sounds perfectly familiar, Samea could get you to nicknames Sammy, Sam, Mimi, and Mea. Possibly a feminine form of Samuel ("name of God"), a variation of the Arabic Samiya ("high"), or even of Sameah, a Hebrew name meaning "happy". 
 
Used by director David Derrick Jr for his daughter, Samea likely provided the inspiration of Simea, used for a character in Moana 2.

Samea

Sleek and silvery, Sylvalaide mixes the vintage Sylvia with royal Adelaide to get the meaning "noble forest" or "forest of the noble one". Poetic and sweet, reminiscent of Sylvaine (or maybe Lemonade, just a little), Sylvalaide was created by @Islavolpes for our "Invent a Name" Contest. 

Sylvalaide

An elaboration of the whimsical and heartfelt word name Sonder, Sonderia can be interpreted as meaning "connected soul" or "one who sees others". Similar in feel to Stellaria, Lunaria, and Soleia, it could make a bold but meaningful option — especially in the middle spot. 
 
Sonderia was created by Nameberry User @sophie_sawriter for our "Invent a Name" contest.

Sonderia

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.

Seraph

Modern, none-too-classy elaboration of Shawn. 

Shawnel

unique names that start with the letter S, including Stjärna, Shephatiah, Sojourn, Sea'vanna, Shimri, Sinon, Sparta, Sparta, Sylphie, Skylaine, Serendipity, Solwyn, Saffy, Skylo, Sonnaz, Samea, Sylvalaide, Sonderia, Seraph, and Shawnel. (Page 20)

Unique Names that Start With S

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