Names from Whats My Line

Sharon

Hebrew

"a plain"

This Old Testament place name was in the Top 10 fifty years ago, but now Sharon, along with sound-alike Karen, have fallen out of favor.

Sheila

Irish variation of Cecilia

"blind"

Sheila peaked in popularity from the 1930s to the 1960s (she reached Number 49 in 1965), along with Maureen and Colleen; parents today would probably go back to the original Cecilia or forward to…

Shelley

English

"clearing on a bank"

The Shirley of the 1950s. Shelley Winters was born a Shirley.

Sheree

Sheree is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Sherry or Cherie, which ultimately derive from the French 'chérie,' meaning 'beloved' or 'darling.' This variation gained popularity in…

Sherrylyn

Sherrylyn is a feminine name that emerged in English-speaking countries, particularly in the mid-20th century. This elaborate variation combines the name Sherry (which itself originated as a…

Shirley

English

"bright meadow"

Shirley Temple almost single-handedly lifted the gloom of the Great Depression, and in tribute (and perhaps wishing for a similarly curly-headed, dimpled darling of their own), thousands of parents…

Shoshana

Hebrew

"lily"

This is a rare and lovely form of Susannah commonly heard in Israel. Shoshana Shapiro — nicknamed Shosh — is the character played by Zosia Mamet on the hit HBO series Girls — a fact that could give…

Silvana

Italian, Latin

"of the forest"

Silvana is a feminine form of the Ancient Roman Silvanus, sharing the same woodsy meaning. A mix of elegance and energy, Silvana may appeal to those who enjoy Sylvie, Sylvia, Savannah, and Solana.

Sita

Sanskrit

"furrow"

Sita's off-beat meaning becomes more powerful once you remember that Sita is the Hindu goddess of the harvest - therefore somewhat of a life-force. Sita can also be spelled Seetha.

Spring

Word name

Spring doesn't sound half as contemporary as Winter, which has become the cool season name.

Sue

Diminutive of Susan

Much-used midcentury diminutive, now fallen far from favor even as a middle name.

Suzanne

French variation of Susan

"lily"

Suzanne became popular along with Susan but has just dropped out of the Top 1,000. Wait a generation (or two) in the US, though in France Suzanne is once again tres chic.

Suzie

Short form of Suzanne, Hebrew

"lily"

Suzie (and Susie) was the one of the It Nicknames of midcentury America, right up there with Debbie and Kathy. Suzie and all her sisters are off their popularity peak now, but not forever. Look for…

Suzy

Diminutive of Susan and Suzanne, English, French

"lily"

An energetic, charmingly retro nickname, Suzy and all her sisters are off their fashion peak but will rise again around the middle of this century. The Z forms, Suzy and Suzie, are usually short for…

Sydell

Diminutive of Sarah, Sydney, or Siegfriede

"princess; Saint Denis; victorious peace"

A surname-y feeling diminutive name that had its (quiet) moment back in the 1920s and 30s, Sydell even made the Top 1000 in 1929 when 55 girls were given the name. It is likely derived from Sarah…

Sylvette

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…

Tala

Persian, Arabic, Tagalog, Samoan, Scandinavian

"gold; turmeric; star; story; noble"

Tala is a super multicultural name with roots in many diverse languages and cultures. In Northern Europe, especially in Scandinavia, it is a diminutive derived from Adelheid "noble", long used as a…