Ancient Origin Names

This is a list of names in which the origin is Ancient.
gender
usage
origin
​
Savitr m Hinduism
Means "rouser, stimulator" in Sanskrit. This is the name of a Vedic Hindu sun god, sometimes identified with Surya.
Savitri f Hinduism, Hindi, Marathi
Means "of the sun" in Sanskrit. This is the name of a hymn in the Rigveda dedicated to Savitr, a sun god. This is also the name of Savitr's daughter, a wife of Brahma, considered an aspect of Saraswati. In the Hindu epic the Mahabharata it is borne by King Satyavan's wife, who successfully pleas with Yama, the god of death, to restore her husband to life.
Savva m Russian
Russian form of Sabas.
Savvas m Greek
Modern Greek transcription of Sabbas.
Sawney m Scots
Scots diminutive of Alexander.
Sawsan f Arabic
Arabic form of Susanna.
Sawyer m & f English (Modern)
From an English surname meaning "sawer of wood". Mark Twain used it for the hero in his novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876).... [more]
Sawyl m Welsh
Welsh form of Samuel.
Saxa f Germanic (Latinized)
Old German form of Saskia.
Saxon m English (Rare)
From an English surname that was derived from the name of the Germanic tribe the Saxons, ultimately deriving from the Germanic word *sahsą meaning "knife". This name can also be given in direct reference to the tribe.
Sayfullah m Arabic, Urdu
Means "sword of Allah" from Arabic سيف (sayf) meaning "sword" combined with الله (Allah).
Saylor f English (Modern)
From an English surname that was derived from Old French sailleor meaning "acrobat, dancer". As a modern English given name it could also come from the homophone vocabulary word sailor.
Scaevola m Ancient Roman
Latin form of Scevola.
Scáthach f Irish Mythology
Means "shadowy" in Irish. In Irish legend this was the name of a warrior woman. She instructed Cúchulainn in the arts of war, and he in turn helped her defeat her rival Aoife.
Scevola m Italian (Rare)
Italian form of the Roman cognomen Scaevola, which was derived from Latin scaevus "left-handed". The first bearer of this name was Gaius Mucius Scaevola, who acquired it, according to legend, after he thrust his right hand into a blazing fire in order to intimidate the Etruscan king Porsenna, who was blockading the city of Rome.
Scheherazade f Literature
Anglicized form of Shahrazad.
Schneeweißchen f Literature
Means "snow white" in High German, thus a cognate of Low German Sneewittchen (see Snow White). This is the name of a peasant girl in the German folktale Snow-White and Rose-Red, recorded by the Brothers Grimm in 1837. Her sister is Rosenrot, translated into English as Rose-Red. This story is distinct from the Grimms' earlier tale Snow White.
Schneewittchen f Literature
German form of Snow White.
Scholastica f Late Roman
From a Late Latin name that was derived from scholasticus meaning "rhetorician, orator". Saint Scholastica was a 6th-century Benedictine abbess, the sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia.
Scholastique f French (Rare)
French form of Scholastica. It is more common in French-speaking Africa than France.
Schuyler m & f English
From a Dutch surname meaning "scholar". Dutch settlers brought the surname to America, where it was subsequently adopted as a given name in honour of the American general and senator Philip Schuyler (1733-1804).
Schwanhild f German (Rare)
Variant of Swanhild.
Scilla f Italian
Short form of Priscilla. This is also the Italian word for the squill flower (genus Scilla).
Scipio m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen derived from Latin scipio meaning "staff, walking stick". A famous bearer was the 3rd-century Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, usually called only Scipio Africanus, notable for his victories during the Second Punic War.
Scipione m Italian (Rare)
Italian form of Scipio.
Scorpio m Astronomy
Means "scorpion" in Latin, from Greek σκορπίος (skorpios). This is the name of the eighth sign of the zodiac, associated with the constellation Scorpius.
Scorpius m Astronomy
From a Latin variant of Scorpio. This is the name of a zodiacal constellation said to have the shape of a scorpion. According to Greek and Roman legend it was the monster that was sent to kill Orion.
Scot m English, Scottish
Variant form of Scott.
Scott m English, Scottish
From an English and Scottish surname that referred to a person from Scotland or a person who spoke Scottish Gaelic. It is derived from Latin Scoti meaning "Gael, Gaelic speaker", with the ultimate origin uncertain.
Scottie m & f English
Diminutive of Scott, also used as a feminine form.
Scotty m English
Diminutive of Scott.
Scovia f Eastern African
Short form of Proscovia, mainly used in Uganda.
Sé m Irish
Modern Irish form of Séaghdha.
Seachlann m Irish (Rare)
Metathesized variant of Seachnall.
Seachnall m Irish (Rare)
Possibly an Irish form of Secundinus. This was the name of a 5th-century Irish saint, also known as Secundinus.
Séafra m Irish
Irish form of Geoffrey.
Seaghdh m Scottish Gaelic (Rare)
Scottish Gaelic form of Séaghdha.
Séaghdha m Irish (Rare)
From Old Irish Ségdae, probably derived from ségda meaning "fine, good, favourable, learned". According to an Irish legend this was the name of a boy who was set to be sacrificed but was saved by his mother.
Séamas m Irish
Irish form of James.
Séamus m Irish
Irish form of James.
Seán m Irish
Irish form of John, derived via the Old French form Jehan.
Sean m Irish, English
Anglicized form of Seán. This name name, along with variants Shawn and Shaun, began to be be used in the English-speaking world outside of Ireland around the middle of the 20th century.
Seanán m Irish
Modern Irish form of Senán.
Seanna f English (Rare)
Feminine form of Seán.
Séarlait f Irish
Irish form of Charlotte.
Séarlas m Irish
Irish form of Charles.
Sebastiaan m Dutch
Dutch form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebastián m Spanish, Czech
Spanish and Czech form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebastian m German, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, Finnish, Romanian, Czech
From the Latin name Sebastianus, which meant "from Sebaste". Sebaste was the name a town in Asia Minor, its name deriving from Greek σεβαστός (sebastos) meaning "venerable" (a translation of Latin Augustus, the title of the Roman emperors). According to Christian tradition, Saint Sebastian was a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyred during the persecutions of the emperor Diocletian. After he was discovered to be a Christian, he was tied to a stake and shot with arrows. This however did not kill him. Saint Irene of Rome healed him and he returned to personally admonish Diocletian, whereupon the emperor had him beaten to death.... [more]
Sebastiana f Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese feminine form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebastiano m Italian
Italian form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebastianus m Late Roman
Latin form of Sebastian.
Sebastião m Portuguese
Portuguese form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sébastien m French
French form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sébastienne f French
French feminine form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebastijan m Slovene, Croatian
Slovene and Croatian form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebastjan m Slovene
Slovene form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Šebestián m Czech (Archaic)
Older Czech form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sebestyén m Hungarian
Hungarian form of Sebastianus (see Sebastian).
Sébire f Norman
Norman form of Sibyl.
Şebnem f Turkish
Turkish form of Shabnam.
Sechnall m Old Irish
Old Irish form of Seachnall.
Secunda f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Secundus. Saint Secunda and her sister Rufina were martyred in Rome in the 3rd century.
Secundino m Spanish
Spanish form of Secundinus.
Secundinus m Ancient Roman
Roman family name derived from the praenomen Secundus. Saint Secundinus, also known as Seachnall, was a 5th-century assistant to Saint Patrick who became the first bishop of Dunshaughlin.
Secundus m Ancient Roman
Roman praenomen, or given name, which meant "second" in Latin. This name was borne by a few early saints, including a 2nd-century martyr from Asti, Italy.
Seela f Finnish
Possibly a Finnish form of Sela.
Seema f Hindi, Marathi
Alternate transcription of Hindi/Marathi सीमा (see Sima 2).
Seera f Biblical Greek
Biblical Greek form of Sheerah.
Seffora f Biblical Latin
Latin form of Zipporah.
Ségdae m Old Irish, Irish Mythology
Old Irish form of Séaghdha.
Segismundo m Spanish
Spanish form of Sigismund.
Ségolène f French
From the Germanic name Sigilina, itself a diminutive derivative of the element sigu meaning "victory" (Proto-Germanic *segiz). This was the name of a 7th-century saint from Albi, France.
Segunda f Spanish
Spanish feminine form of Secundus.
Segundo m Spanish
Spanish form of Secundus.
Şehrazad f Turkish (Rare)
Turkish form of Shahrazad.
Şehrazat f Turkish
Turkish form of Shahrazad.
Şehzade m Turkish
Turkish form of Shahzad.
Seilenos m Greek Mythology
Greek form of Silenus.
Seisyll m Old Welsh
Old Welsh form of Sextilius. This name was borne by a 7th-century king of Ceredigion.
Sekar m Tamil
Tamil form of Shekhar.
Sekhar m Telugu, Bengali
Telugu and Bengali form of Shekhar.
Sekhmet f Egyptian Mythology
From Egyptian sḫmt, derived from sḫm meaning "powerful" and a feminine t suffix. Sekhmet was an Egyptian warrior goddess, also associated with healing, violence and plague. She was commonly depicted with the head of a lioness, and was sometimes conflated with the cat-headed goddess Bastet.
Sela f English (Rare)
From the name of a city, the capital of Edom, which appears in the Old Testament. It means "rock" in Hebrew.
Selamawit f Amharic
Amharic form of Shulammite.
Selbi f Turkmen
Means "cypress" in Turkmen (derived from Persian, ultimately from Sumerian).
Selby m & f English (Rare)
From an English surname that was from a place name meaning "willow farm" in Old Norse.
Selena f Spanish, English, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Selene. This name was borne by popular Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla (1971-1995), who was known simply as Selena. Another famous bearer is the American actress and singer Selena Gomez (1992-).
Sélène f French (Modern)
French form of Selene.
Selene f Greek Mythology
Means "moon" in Greek. This was the name of a Greek goddess of the moon, a Titan. She was sometimes identified with the goddess Artemis.
Seleucus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Σέλευκος (Seleukos), of unknown meaning. It is possibly related to λευκός (leukos) meaning "bright, white". This was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals, who established the Seleucid Empire in western Asia after Alexander's death.
Seleukos m Ancient Greek
Greek form of Seleucus.
Selim m Turkish, Albanian
Turkish and Albanian form of Salim. This was the name of three Ottoman sultans, including the father of Süleyman the Magnificent.
Selima f Arabic
Alternate transcription of Arabic سليمة (see Salima).
Selime f Turkish
Turkish form of Salima.
Selina f English, German
Variant of Celina or Selena. As an English name, it first came into use in the 17th century.
Selini f Greek
Modern Greek transcription of Selene.
Selma 1 f English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic
Meaning unknown, possibly a short form of Anselma. It could also have been inspired by James Macpherson's 18th-century poems, in which it is the name of Ossian's castle.
Selma 2 f Turkish
Turkish form of Salma.
Selman m Turkish, Albanian
Turkish and Albanian form of Salman.
Selvi f Turkish
Means "cypress" in Turkish (derived from Persian, ultimately from Sumerian).
Sem m Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Dutch
Form of Shem used in the Greek and Latin Bibles.
Semaj m & f African American (Modern)
The name James spelled backwards.
Semele f Greek Mythology
Meaning unknown, possibly of Phrygian origin. In Greek mythology she was one of the many lovers of Zeus. Hera, being jealous, tricked Semele into asking Zeus to display himself in all his splendour as the god of thunder. When he did, Semele was struck by lightning and died, but not before giving birth to Dionysos.
Semen m Ukrainian, Russian
Ukrainian form of Simon 1, as well as an alternate transcription of Russian Семён (see Semyon).
Semion m Russian
Alternate transcription of Russian Семён (see Semyon).
Semiramis f Ancient Assyrian (Hellenized)
Probably from a Greek form of the name Shammuramat. According to ancient Greek and Armenian sources, Semiramis (Շամիրամ (Shamiram) in Armenian) was an Assyrian queen who conquered much of Asia. Though the tales are legendary, she might be loosely based on the real Assyrian queen.
Şemsettin m Turkish
Turkish form of Shams ad-Din.
Semyon m Russian
Russian form of Simon 1.
Senán m Irish, Old Irish
Means "little old one", derived from Old Irish sen "old" combined with a diminutive suffix. Saint Senán was a 6th-century monk who founded the monastery on Inis Cathaigh.
Senan m Irish
Anglicized form of Senán.
Sence f Medieval Spanish
Old variant of Sancha.
Sender m Yiddish
Yiddish form of Alexander.
Seneca m Ancient Roman
From a Roman cognomen derived from Latin senectus meaning "old". This was the name of both a Roman orator (born in Spain) and also of his son, a philosopher and statesman.... [more]
Senga f Scottish
Sometimes explained as an anagram of Agnes, but more likely derived from Gaelic seang "slender".
Senja f Finnish
Finnish form of Xenia.
Senka f Serbian, Croatian
Means "shadow, shade" in Serbian and Croatian. It can also be a diminutive of Ksenija.
Senn m Dutch (Modern)
Meaning unknown, possibly related to Senne.
Sennacherib m Ancient Assyrian (Anglicized), Biblical, Biblical Latin
From Akkadian Sin-ahhi-eriba meaning "Sin has replaced my (lost) brothers", from the god's name Sin combined with a plural form of aḫu meaning "brother" and riābu meaning "to replace". This was the name of a 7th-century BC Assyrian king who destroyed Babylon. He appears in the Old Testament.
Senne m Dutch (Modern)
Possibly a Dutch diminutive of Sebastian or Sander.
Sens f Medieval Spanish
Old variant of Sancha.
Senta f German
Diminutive of Kreszentia.
Seoc m Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Jack.
Seoirse m Irish
Irish form of George.
Seona f Scottish
Partially Anglicized form of Seònaid or Seonag.
Seonag f Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Joan 1.
Seònaid f Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Janet.
Seòras m Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of George.
Seòsaidh m Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Josey.
Seosamh m Irish
Irish form of Joseph.
Sepeteus m Biblical Finnish
Finnish form of Zebedee.
Séphora f French
French form of Zipporah.
Sepi m Finnish (Rare)
Finnish diminutive of Seppo 1 or Sebastian.
Sepp m German
German diminutive of Josef.
Seppe m Flemish
Flemish diminutive of Sebastian.
Seppel m German (Rare)
German diminutive of Joseph.
Sepphora f Biblical Greek
Greek form of Zipporah.
Seppo 2 m Finnish
Finnish variant of Sepeteus or Sebastian.
Septima f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Septimus.
Septimius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was derived from Septimus. Septimius Severus was an early 3rd-century Roman emperor. This was also the name of a 4th-century saint and martyr.
Septimus m Ancient Roman
Roman praenomen, or given name, which meant "seventh" in Latin.
Sera f English (Rare)
Either a variant of Sarah or a short form of Seraphina.
Serafeim m Greek
Alternate transcription of Greek Σεραφείμ (see Serafim).
Serafim m Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian
Form of Seraphinus (see Seraphina) in various languages.
Serafima f Russian
Russian form of Seraphina.
Serafín m Spanish
Spanish form of Seraphinus (see Seraphina).
Serafin m Polish (Rare)
Polish form of Seraphinus (see Seraphina).
Serafina f Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Rare)
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Seraphina.
Serafino m Italian
Italian form of Seraphinus (see Seraphina).
Seraiah m Biblical
Means "Yahweh is ruler" in Hebrew, from שָׂרָה (sara) meaning "to have power" and יָהּ (yah) referring to the Hebrew God. This is the name of several minor characters in the Old Testament, including the father of Ezra.
Séraphin m French
French form of Seraphinus (see Seraphina).
Seraphina f English (Rare), German (Rare), Late Roman
Feminine form of the Late Latin name Seraphinus, derived from the biblical word seraphim, which was Hebrew in origin and meant "fiery ones". The seraphim were an order of angels, described by Isaiah in the Bible as having six wings each.... [more]
Séraphine f French
French form of Seraphina.
Seraphinus m Late Roman
Masculine form of Seraphina.
Serapion m Ancient Greek
From the name of the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis. Saint Serapion was a 3rd-century patriarch of Antioch. This was also the name of a 13th-century saint, a Mercedarian friar who was martyred by pirates.
Serapis m Egyptian Mythology (Hellenized)
From a compound of Asar, the Egyptian form of Osiris, and Apis, the sacred bull of the Egyptians. This was the name of a syncretic Greco-Egyptian god, apparently promoted by Ptolemy I Soter in the 3rd-century BC in an attempt to unite the native Egyptians and the Greeks in the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
Seraya m Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew form of Seraiah.
Serdar m Turkish, Turkmen
Turkish and Turkmen form of Sardar.
Séréna f French (Modern)
French form of Serena.
Serena f English, Italian, Late Roman
From a Late Latin name that was derived from Latin serenus meaning "clear, tranquil, serene". This name was borne by an obscure early saint. Edmund Spenser also used it in his poem The Faerie Queene (1590). A famous bearer from the modern era is tennis player Serena Williams (1981-).
Serge m French
French form of Sergius.
Sergei m Russian, Bulgarian
Alternate transcription of Russian/Bulgarian Сергей (see Sergey).
Sergej m Serbian, Slovene, Czech, Slovak, Russian, Bulgarian
Serbian, Slovene, Czech and Slovak form of Sergey, as well as an alternate transcription of Russian/Bulgarian Сергей (see Sergey).
Sergejs m Latvian
Latvian form of Sergius.
Sergejus m Lithuanian
Lithuanian form of Sergius.
Sergey m Russian, Bulgarian
Russian and Bulgarian form of Sergius.
Serghei m Moldovan
Romanian form of Sergey.
Sergi m Catalan, Georgian
Catalan and Georgian form of Sergius.
Sergine f French
French feminine form of Sergius.
Sérgio m Portuguese
Portuguese form of Sergius.
Sergio m Italian, Spanish
Italian and Spanish form of Sergius.
Sergiu m Romanian
Romanian form of Sergius.
Sergius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name, possibly meaning "servant" in Latin but most likely of unknown Etruscan origin. Saint Sergius was a 4th-century Roman officer who was martyred in Syria with his companion Bacchus. They are the patron saints of Christian desert nomads. Another saint by this name (in the Russian form Sergey) was a 14th-century Russian spiritual leader. The name was also borne by four popes.
Sergiusz m Polish
Polish form of Sergius.
Sergo m Georgian, Armenian
Georgian form of Sergius.
Serhan m Turkish
Derived from Turkish ser meaning "head, top" and han, which is from the title khan meaning "leader".
Serhii m Ukrainian
Alternate transcription of Ukrainian Сергій (see Serhiy).
Serhiy m Ukrainian
Ukrainian form of Sergius.
Serina f English
Variant of Serena.
Serkan m Turkish
Means "leader, chief" from Turkish ser "head, top" and kan "blood".
Serket f Egyptian Mythology
From Egyptian srqt, possibly meaning "she who lets throats breathe", from srq meaning "to open the windpipe, to breathe" and a feminine t suffix. In Egyptian mythology she was the goddess of scorpions as well as the healing of poisonous stings and bites. Eventually she came to be identified with Isis, becoming an aspect of her over time.
Serrena f English (Rare)
Variant of Serena.
Servaas m Dutch (Rare)
Dutch form of the Late Latin name Servatius, derived from servatus "saved, redeemed". This was the name of a 4th-century saint who helped spread Christianity to the Low Countries.
Servaos m Limburgish
Limburgish form of Servaas.
Servatius m Late Roman
Latin form of Servaas.
Servius m Ancient Roman
Roman praenomen, or given name, meaning "to preserve" from Latin servo.
Sesto m Italian
Italian form of Sextus.
Set m Egyptian Mythology (Hellenized)
Variant of Seth 2.
Setare f Persian
Alternate transcription of Persian ستاره (see Setareh).
Setareh f Persian
Means "star" in Persian.
Seth 1 m English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
From the Hebrew name שֵׁת (Sheṯ) meaning "placed, set". In the Old Testament he is the third named son of Adam and Eve, and the ancestor of Noah and all humankind. In England this name came into use after the Protestant Reformation.
Seth 2 m Egyptian Mythology (Hellenized)
From Σήθ (Seth), the Greek form of Egyptian swtẖ or stẖ (reconstructed as Sutekh), which is of unknown meaning. Seth was the Egyptian god of chaos and the desert, the slayer of Osiris. Osiris's son Horus eventually defeats Seth and has him banished to the desert.
Seti m Ancient Egyptian
From Egyptian stẖj meaning "of Seth 2". This was the name of two pharaohs of the 19th dynasty (13th century BC).
Setiawan m Indonesian
From Indonesian setia meaning "loyal, true", ultimately from Sanskrit सत्य (satya), combined with the masculine suffix -wan.
Settimio m Italian
Italian form of Septimius.
Settimo m Italian
Italian form of Septimus.
Seumas m Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of James.
Seva m Russian
Diminutive of Vsevolod.
Sevastian m Russian (Rare)
Alternate transcription of Russian Севастьян (see Sevastyan).
Sevastyan m Russian (Rare)
Russian form of Sebastian.
Seve m Spanish
Spanish diminutive of Severiano or Severino.
Sévère m French (Rare)
French form of Severus.
Severi m Finnish
Finnish form of Severus.
Severiano m Spanish
Spanish form of the Roman cognomen Severianus, which was derived from Severus.
Severianus m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen that was derived from Severus.
Séverin m French
French form of Severinus.
Severin m German, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Danish (Rare)
German and Scandinavian form of Severinus.
Severina f Italian, Portuguese, Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Severinus.
Sévérine f French (Rare)
Variant of Séverine.
Séverine f French
French feminine form of Severinus.
Severino m Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Severinus.
Severinus m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was derived from Severus. Severinus was the name of many early saints, including a 6th-century Roman philosopher martyred by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric. It was also borne by a pope.
Severo m Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Severus.
Severus m Ancient Roman
Roman family name meaning "stern" in Latin. This name was borne by several early saints including a 6th-century patriarch of Antioch.
Seward m English
From an English surname, either Seward 1 or Seward 2.
Seweryn m Polish
Polish form of Severinus.
Seweryna f Polish (Rare)
Polish form of Severina.
Sextilius m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen that was a derivative of Sextus.
Sextus m Ancient Roman
Roman praenomen, or given name, meaning "sixth" in Latin. It was traditionally given to the sixth child.
Seyfullah m Turkish
Turkish form of Sayfullah.
Seymour m English
From a Norman surname that originally belonged to a person coming from the French town of Saint Maur (which means "Saint Maurus").
Shabnam f Persian, Urdu
Means "dew" in Persian and Urdu.
Shad 1 m Persian
Means "happy" in Persian.
Shad 2 m English
Perhaps a variant of Chad.
Shadi 2 f Persian
Means "happiness" in Persian.
Shae f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Shea.
Shaelyn f English (Rare)
Elaboration of Shae using the popular name suffix lyn.
Shaheen m Persian, Urdu
Alternate transcription of Persian شاهین (see Shahin), as well as the usual Urdu transcription.
Shahin m Persian, Arabic, Bengali
Means "falcon" in Persian, referring more specifically to the Barbary falcon (species Falco pelegrinoides). The bird's name is a derivative of Persian شاه (shāh) meaning "king".
Shahjahan m Urdu
Means "king of the world" from Persian شاه (shāh) meaning "king" and جهان (jahān) meaning "world". This was the name of the 17th-century Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
Shahnaz f & m Persian, Arabic, Urdu
Means "delight of the king" from Persian شاه (shāh) meaning "king" and ناز (nāz) meaning "delight, comfort, coquetry".
Shahnoza f Uzbek, Tajik
Uzbek and Tajik form of Shahnaz.
Shahpuhr m Middle Persian
Middle Persian form of Shapur.
Shahram m Persian
Means "king Ram", from Persian شاه (shāh) meaning "king" combined with the name of the Yazata Ram 3.
Shahrazad f Persian (Rare), Arabic
Possibly means "noble lineage" from Persian چهر (chehr) meaning "lineage, origin" and آزاد (āzād) meaning "free, noble". Alternatively, it might mean "child of the city" from شهر (shahr) meaning "city, land" combined with the suffix زاد (zād) meaning "child of". This is the name of the fictional storyteller in The 1001 Nights. She tells a story to her husband the king every night for 1001 nights in order to delay her execution.
Shahriar m Persian
Alternate transcription of Persian شهریار (see Shahriyar).
Shahrivar m Persian Mythology
Persian form of Avestan 𐬑𐬱𐬀𐬚𐬭𐬀⸱𐬬𐬀𐬌𐬭𐬌𐬌𐬀 (Xshathra Vairiia) meaning "desirable power". In Zoroastrianism this was the name of a god (one of the Amesha Spenta) associated with the creation of metals. The sixth month of the Iranian calendar is named for him.
Shahriyar m Persian
Means "lord" in Persian.
Shahrizad f Arabic
Alternate transcription of Arabic شهرزاد (see Shahrazad).
Shahrokh m Persian
Means "royal face" in Persian, from شاه (shāh) meaning "king" and رخ (rokh) meaning "face". This was the name of a 15th-century ruler of the Timurid Empire (a son of Timur).
Shahrukh m Urdu, Hindi
Urdu and Hindi form of Shahrokh. A notable bearer is the Indian actor Shahrukh Khan (1965-), normally called Shah Rukh Khan.
Shahrzad f Persian
Alternate transcription of Persian شهرزاد (see Shahrazad).
Shahzad m Persian, Arabic, Urdu
Means "prince, son of the king" in Persian.
Shahzada m Urdu
Variant of Shahzad.
Shai m & f Hebrew
Either from Hebrew שַׁי (shai) meaning "gift" or else a Hebrew diminutive of Isaiah.
Shailaja f Hinduism, Telugu
Means "daughter of the mountain" in Sanskrit, from शैल (śaila) meaning "mountain" and ज (ja) meaning "born". This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati.
Shaina f Yiddish
Alternate transcription of Yiddish שיינאַ (see Shayna).
Shaindel f Yiddish (Rare)
Diminutive of Shayna.
Shakti f & m Hinduism, Hindi
Means "power" in Sanskrit. In Hinduism a shakti is the female counterpart of a god. The name Shakti is used in particular to refer to the female counterpart of Shiva, also known as Parvati among many other names.
Shalim m Semitic Mythology
From the Semitic root šlm meaning "peace". This was the name of an Ugaritic god associated with the evening.
Shalmaneser m Ancient Assyrian (Anglicized), Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
From שַׁלְמַנְאֶסֶר (Shalmanʾeser), the Hebrew form of the Akkadian name Shulmanu-ashared meaning "Shulmanu is preeminent". This was the name of five Assyrian kings, including the 9th-century BC Shalmaneser III who expanded the empire. He is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament.
Shalom m Hebrew
Means "peace" in Hebrew.
Shamash m Semitic Mythology
Means "sun" in Akkadian. This was the Akkadian, Assyrian and Babylonian name of Utu.
Shamgar m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Meaning unknown, possibly of Hittite origin. Shamgar was one of the Old Testament judges.
Shammuramat f Ancient Assyrian
Meaning unknown, possibly derived from a Western Semitic language and meaning "high heaven". Shammuramat was a 9th-century BC queen of Assyria. After her young son inherited the throne, she acted as his regent for five years. The legendary figure Semiramis may be loosely based on her.
Shams f & m Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Semitic Mythology
Means "sun" in Arabic. This was the name of a pre-Islamic Arabian goddess of the sun, identified with the Akkadian sun god Shamash (whose name is related) and the northern Arabian goddess Nuha.
Shams ad-Din m Arabic
Means "sun of the religion", from Arabic شمس (shams) meaning "sun" and دين (dīn) meaning "religion, faith". This was the given name of the 14th-century Berber explorer Ibn Battuta.
Shams al-Din m Arabic
Alternate transcription of Arabic شمس الدين (see Shams ad-Din).
Shamsuddin m Arabic, Bengali, Malay
Alternate transcription of Arabic شمس الدين (see Shams ad-Din), as well as the usual Bengali and Malay form.
Shamus m Irish
Anglicized form of Séamus.
Shan f Welsh
Anglicized form of Siân.
Shana 1 f English
Variant of Shanna.
Shana 2 f Yiddish
Alternate transcription of Yiddish שיינאַ (see Shayna).
Shane m Irish, English
Anglicized form of Seán. It came into general use in America after the release of the western movie Shane (1953).
Shankar m Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Nepali
Modern transcription of Shankara.
Shankara m Hinduism
Derived from the Sanskrit elements शम् (śam) meaning "auspicious, lucky" and कर (kara) meaning "maker". This is another name of the Hindu gods Rudra or Shiva. This was also the name of a 9th-century Indian religious philosopher also known as Shankaracharya.
Shanna f English
Possibly a feminine variant of Shannon.
Shannah f English (Rare)
Variant of Shanna.
Shannen f English (Modern)
Variant of Shannon.
Shannon f & m English
From the name of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, called an tSionainn in Irish. It is associated with the legendary figure Sionann and is sometimes said to be named for her. However it is more likely she was named after the river, which may be related to Old Irish sen "old, ancient". As a given name, it first became common in America after the 1940s.
Shanon f & m English
Variant of Shannon.
Shanthi f Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada
Southern Indian form of Shanti.
Shanti f Hindi, Marathi, Nepali
From Sanskrit शान्ती (śāntī) meaning "quiet, peace, tranquility".
Shapour m Persian
Modern Persian form of Shapur.
Shapur m History, Persian
From Middle Persian 𐭱𐭧𐭯𐭥𐭧𐭥𐭩 (Shahpuhr) meaning "son of the king". This was the name of three Sasanian emperors.
Sharad m Hindi, Marathi, Nepali
From Sanskrit शरद् (śarad) meaning "autumn".
Sharada f Hinduism, Hindi, Marathi, Nepali
Means "autumnal, associated with autumn" in Sanskrit, a derivative of शरद् (śarad) meaning "autumn". This is another name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati.
Sharalyn f English (Rare)
Variant of Cherilyn.
Sharar m Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Means "enemy" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of the father of Ahiam.
Shari f English
Diminutive of Sharon or a variant of Sherry.
Sharla f English
Variant of Charla.
Sharleen f English
Variant of Charlene.
Sharlene f English
Variant of Charlene.
Sharma m Hindi
From Sanskrit शर्मन् (śarman) meaning "protection, comfort, joy".
Sharmaine f English (Rare)
Variant of Charmaine.
Sharmila f Tamil, Marathi
Derived from Sanskrit शर्मन् (śarman) meaning "protection, comfort, joy".
Sharon f & m English, Hebrew
From an Old Testament place name, in Hebrew שָׁרוֹן (Sharon) meaning "plain", referring to a fertile plain on the central west coast of Israel. This is also the name of a flowering plant in the Bible, the rose of Sharon, a term now used to refer to several different species of flowers.... [more]
Sharona f English (Rare)
Elaborated form of Sharon.
Sharron f English
Variant of Sharon.
Sharru-Ukin m Akkadian, Ancient Assyrian
Original Akkadian form of Sargon.
Sharyl f English
Variant of Cheryl.
Sharyn f English
Variant of Sharon.
Shashi m & f Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu
Traditional name for the moon, it literally means "having a hare" in Sanskrit. This is a transcription of both the masculine form शशि and the feminine form शशी (spelled with a long final vowel).
Sha'ul m Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew form of Saul.
Shaul m Hebrew
Modern Hebrew form of Saul.
Shaun m English
Anglicized form of Seán. This is the more common spelling in the United Kingdom and Australia, while Shawn is preferred in the United States and Canada (though it got a boost in America after the singer Shaun Cassidy released his debut album in 1976).
Shauna f English
Feminine form of Shaun.
Shavon f English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Variant of Shavonne.
Shavonne f English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Anglicized form of Siobhán. In some cases it might be considered a combination of the phonetic element sha and Yvonne.
Shaw m English (Rare)
From a surname. As an English surname it is derived from Old English sceaga meaning "thicket". As a Scottish surname it is derived from the Gaelic byname Sitheach meaning "wolf".