Girls
- Rachelle
Origin:
French variation of RachelDescription:
Elaboration of Rachel sometimes seen in France, but more rarely here.
- Rebeca
- Richelle
- Rochelle
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"little rock"Description:
Long-standing French name that retains a feminine, fragile, and shell-like image.
- Roselyn
Origin:
Combination name of Rose and LynnDescription:
Roselyn was a frequent member of the US Top 1000 in the early twentieth century until it dropped off the charts in 1954. It didn't return until 2003.
- Sabela
Origin:
Galician variation of "Isabella"Meaning:
"Isabella"Description:
Isabel and Isabella are everywhere - but here is a variation that is both unusual and familiar.
- Sabella
- Sabrina
Origin:
Celtic, Latin name for the River SevernDescription:
Sabrina, the bewitchingly radiant name of a legendary Celtic goddess, is best known as the heroine of the eponymous film, originally played by Audrey Hepburn, and later as a teenage TV witch; it would make a distinctive alternative to the ultrapopular Samantha. Similar names you might also want to consider include Sabina and Serena.
- Samara
Origin:
Hebrew, ArabicMeaning:
"under God's rule, companion in night conversation"Description:
Alluring and lovely — and much more distinctive now than Samantha or Tamara. Samara is a city in western Russia, a winged seed like the whirlygigs that fall from maple trees, as well as a bona fide first name that could make a more unusual update on Samantha or Mara. It can also be a variant spelling of the Arabic name Samira or Sameera.
- Sarah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"princess"Description:
Sarah was derived from the Hebrew word sarah, meaning "princess." Sarah is an Old Testament name—she was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. According to the Book of Genesis, Sarah was originally called Sarai, but had her name changed by God to the more auspicious Sarah when she was ninety years old.
- Sarai
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"princess"Description:
In the Old Testament, God changed Sarai's name to Sara, so this would make a clever and legitimate honor name for an ancestral Sarah. Sarahi is another pretty variation to make the connection even more clear.
- Saralee
Origin:
Composite of Sara and LeeMeaning:
"princess; meadow"Description:
The cake company pretty much knocked this otherwise-pretty compilation name out of consideration for most parents.
- Sari
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"noble"Description:
Sari is a cute spin on Sarah, though some may hear it as "sorry," and it is also an item of clothing worn in India. These days many people will also confuse Sari with Suri, the lovely and unsual name of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' much-publicized young daughter.
- Scarlet
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
The Scarlet spelling makes it less a name, less Gone With The Wind and Scarlett Johansson, and more the bright red color that inspired it in the first place.
- Scarlett
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"scarlet, red"Description:
Scarlett Johansson is doing more for this sparky southern name than Scarlett O'Hara ever did. Since the turn of the 21st century, Scarlett has gone from an obscure literary name to one of the most popular girls' names starting with S, right after longtime favorites Sophia and Sofia.
- Selena
Origin:
Latinized variation of Greek SeleneMeaning:
"moon goddess"Description:
Selena is smooth, shiny, and sensual, a nineteenth-century name that found new life in the Latino community, following the biopic of slain Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, starring Jennifer Lopez. But you don't have to be Latin to love Selena, which is both distinctive yet in step with stylish modern names such as Seraphina and Celia.
- Seraphina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ardent; fiery"Description:
Seraphina is one of the most-searched name on Nameberry, destined for even greater popularity. The highest-ranking angels, the six-winged seraphim, inspired the lovely name Seraphina.
- Serena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"tranquil, serene"Description:
Serena, a name used since Roman times, was given fresh life by tennis star Williams, and then again with the leading character on Gossip Girl, Serena van der Woodsen. There have also been Serenas on soap operas and other shows from Bewitched to Law & Order.
- Sophie
Origin:
French variation of SophiaMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
Sophie is the French form of the Greek Sophia, for which it is also commonly used as a nickname. Given Sophia's long standing among the Top 10 girl names in the US, Sophie may feel more popular than it actually is.
- Susannah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Susannah is by far the most stylish form of the classic name now that Susan and Suzanne have retired. Susannah has biblical and musical pedigrees, is impervious to trends, and has an irresistible, flowing rhythm. It can be spelled just as properly with or without the final 'h.'