Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Silence m & f English (African), English (Puritan), Romani (Archaic)Simply from the English word
silence, from Middle English from Old French, from Latin
silentium, from
silere "be silent". A popular virtue name amongst the Puritans in the 17th century, it was usually given to girls (very occasionally to boys), ultimately taken from the admonition of Saint Paul: "Let the women learn in silence, with all subjection." Translated into Latin it became
Tace, which "in its turn developed into
Tacey"... [
more]
Silene f English (Rare)After a large genus of flowering plants that contains almost 900 species. It's commonly known as the campion or catchfly. It's also the feminine form of Silenus.
Silken f EnglishFamous bearer is Canadian champion rower Silken Laumann (born 1964).
Similian m EnglishEnglish form of
Similianus. A bearer of this name was St. Similian of Nantes, a French bishop and saint from the 4th century AD. His feast day is on June 16.
Sinai m EnglishGiven in honor of the mountain from the book of Exodus.
Sinnia f EnglishSinnia is so close to the flower or name, "Zinnia" Just spelled differently. Sinnia means beauty, just to point that out.
Sionne f EnglishCould be a variant of
Sianne, influenced by
Dionne. It could also be derived from the name of a town in France's Lorraine region.
Sioux f English (Modern)The name of a Native American people, used as a variant of
Sue. Considered offensive amongst some Natives.
Siouxsie f English (Rare)Variant of
Susie, made famous by the British rock band
Siouxsie & The Banshees. This name is considered offensive to the Sioux Nation.
Sir m EnglishPossibly from the title "Sir", typically used to address any male whose name is unknown or out of respect, or who is of a higher rank, or who has been bestowed the title ('knighted') by royalty. Derived from the Old French
sire 'master, sir, lord', from the Latin
senior 'older, elder'.
Siren f English (Modern, Rare)Derived from Greek Σειρῆνες
(Seirenes), the name of a type of sea nymphs who lured mariners with their enchanting voices.
Sirena f English (Rare)Derived from Spanish
sirena "mermaid". The Spanish dramatist Jacinto Benavente used this name in his play 'Los intereses creados' (1907), where it belongs to a poor widow and matchmaker called Doña Sirena.
Sister f English (Archaic)Derived from the English noun
sister meaning "sister". Like in most countries with a culture and language that is ultimately Germanic in origin, this name first started out as an affectionate nickname for a female sibling (who was often older in age, such as the first-born daughter and therefore eldest sister) and over time (due to frequent usage) transformed into an actual given name.... [
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Sistine f English (Modern, Rare)From the name of the Sistine Chapel, which is derived from
Sisto and named for Pope
Sixtus IV, who had it built. This is borne by Sistine Stallone (1998-), a daughter of the actor Sylvester Stallone.
Skeet m EnglishPerhaps from the Old Norse "Skotja" Meaning- "To shoot" Also believed to mean "Swift" from English.
Skipper m & f EnglishDerived from Middle Dutch
schipper "boatman, bargeman", which referred to the master of a small ship or boat (like a fishing boat).
Skylark f English (Modern, Rare)From the English word for the type of songbird, i.e., the common European lark (Alauda arvensis; which is "famed for its melodious song"). Use of the name is probably inspired by the similar name
Skylar; it could also be viewed as a combination of
Sky and
Lark.... [
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Skylin f English (Modern)Variant of
Skylyn. In 2011, this variant was given to 31 girls born in the United States (in addition, 101 were given the name
Skylynn, 38
Skylyn, 22
Skylan, 11
Skyelynn, 10
Skylinn, 7
Skyelyn, and 5 were named
Skylynne).
Skyrah f English (Modern)Variant of
Skyra, a contraction of
Sky and
Kyra. In 2011, the name Skyra was given to 7 girls born in the United States.
Slevin m English (Rare), Irish (Anglicized)Transferred use of the surname
Slevin. The author Anne Tyler used this name in her novel 'Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant' (1982); it was also used in the movie 'Lucky Number Slevin' (2006).
Smiley f & m English (Rare)A nickname for a person of happy disposition known for smiling or a nickname whose meaning is particular to the bearer. A notable namesake is comedic actor and country singer Smiley
Burnette (1911-1967) who was born
Lester Alvin Burnett... [
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Snake m EnglishFrom Proto-Germanic
*snakon, source also of Old Norse
snakr "snake," Swedish
snok, German
Schnake "ring snake"), from PIE root
*sneg- "to crawl, creeping thing" (source also of Old Irish
snaighim "to creep," Old High German
snahhan "to creep").
Snowdrop f English (Rare)The name of the flower used as a first name, mainly between the 1890s and 1920s, but never one of the more popular names of this kind.
Snowy f & m English (Rare)From the English word "snowy" meaning "covered with
Snow; resembling snow; or when snow is falling".
Sojourner f English (Rare)From the English word meaning "one who stays temporarily (sojourns)", which is ultimately derived from the Latin elements
sub "under, until" and
diurnus "of a day" (from
diurnum "day"), via the vulgar Latin
subdiurnare "to spend the day"... [
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Solaya f English (Rare)From the Spanish "sol" which means "sun" and "aya", which is another word for governess.
So-loved m English (Puritan)From John 3:16 of the New Testament of the Holy Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
Solstice f & m English (Modern, Rare)Derived from Latin
solsticium and thus ultimately from
sol "sun" and
stito "to stand still". The English word
solstice refers to two times of the year when the sun's apparent position in the sky reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes.... [
more]
Somerset m English (British)The name of an English county used as a personal name. It is derived from Old English and may mean “the people of the summer settlement” or “settlers by the sea-lakes”. It is often translated as "the land of the summer people".
Sonata f Lithuanian, English (Rare), Spanish (Latin American, Rare), Filipino (Rare)From a musical term for a musical composition for one or a few instruments (piano frequently being one of them) in three or four movements that vary in key and tempo, derived from the feminine past participle of Italian verb
sonare (modern
suonare) meaning "to play (an instrument); to sound."
Sonnet f & m English (Modern, Rare)Diminutive of Italian
sonetto - song, sound; little song. Also the term for a short lyric poem, usually with eight line stanzas, followed by six line ... [
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Sonora f English (American, Rare)Of uncertain origin and meaning. It might be inspired by the name of the north-western Mexican state Sonora or possibly be derived from Latin
sonorus "resounding; sonorous".
Sorell m & f English (Rare)Transferred use of the surname
Sorell. A famous namesake is biologist Sir Julian Sorell Huxley, the brother of Aldous Huxley.
Sorrell m English (Rare)Transferred use of the surname
Sorrell. The most notable bearer is the actor Sorrell
Booke (1930-1994) best known for playing the corrupt local functionary Boss Hogg on the American television series 'The Dukes of Hazzard' (1979-1985).
Sosie f EnglishMeaning uncertain. Actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick used it for their daughter Sosie Bacon (1992-). It was perhaps inspired by French
sosie "lookalike", derived from Latin
Sosia, the name of a character in Plautus' play 'Amphitryon', itself from Greek Σωσίας (
Sosias) meaning "savior" from σως (
sos) "safe, whole, unwounded" (compare
Sostrate,
Sose)... [
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Sou'wester m English (British, Rare), ObscureFrom the English noun
sou'wester, a contracted form of
southwester which refers to a strong wind that blows from the southwest and brings warm air from the tropics to the British Isles, often causing rain as it cools while passing over the sea... [
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Sovereign f & m English (Modern)From the English word, both a noun meaning "monarch" and an adjective meaning "predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount" or "having supreme power", which is derived from Vulgar Latin *
superanus "chief" (ultimately from Latin
super "over") via Old French... [
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Spark m & f English (Rare)Originally a transferred use of the surname
Spark. It is now used as an adoption of the English word (which is derived from Old English
spearca via Middle English
sparke "spark").
Sparks m EnglishOriginally a transferred use of the surname
Sparks. It is now used as an adoption of the English word (which is derived from Old English spearca via Middle English sparke "spark").
Speedy m English"Speedy" is an English adverb used to describe someone fast or to do something quickly
Sphere m English (Rare)Probably from the English word
sphere, ultimately from Greek σφαῖρα (sphaira) meaning "globe, ball". Two famous bearers of this name are American jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982) and his son Thelonious Sphere "T... [
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Spot f & m English, PetA very common name for dogs and cats alike, perhaps most notably Data's cat(s) from the TV show Star Trek: The New Generation.
Spruce m English (American)An English word referring to a type of evergreen tree; also a synonym of dapper. Both originally referring to imports, an alternation of Pruce "from Prussia".
Spurgeon m English (Rare)Transferred use of the surname
Spurgeon. In many cases, especially among devout Christians, the name is given in honour of the English preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892).
Squire m English (Rare)Either from the English occupational surname (see
Squire), or else directly from the English word. It is derived from Old French
esquier,
escuier "squire", literally "shield-bearer" (from Latin
scutarius, a derivative of
scutum "shield").
Standfast m English (Puritan)Transferred use of the English surname
Standfast, or simply means "to stand firm, to stand one's ground"; compare the English word
steadfast meaning "firm or unwavering in purpose, resolution or faith" and the name
Stand-fast-on-high.