A List of Trendy Old Fashioned Names

  1. Sally
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sarah
    • Meaning:

      "princess"
    • Description:

      Sally is a cheerful, fresh-faced girl-next-door name that was originally a nickname for Sarah, but has long been used independently. Sally was popular in the eighteenth century and then again from the 1920s to the 1960s--it was just outside the Top 50 around 1940. Though it hasn't been heard as a baby name for decades, we can see Sally bouncing back, especially after her exposure as young Ms. Draper on Mad Men--the Nameberries rank it at Number 621, and it's a Top 100 name in Sweden.
  2. Salvatore
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Salvator
    • Meaning:

      "savior"
    • Description:

      For every Tio Salvador in a Latino family, there's a Zio Salvatore in an Italian one. Having always ranked in the US Top 1000, it is in danger of falling off the charts very soon.
  3. Sammie
    • Samson
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "sun"
      • Description:

        With the prevailing popularity of Samuel, some parents are considering this more (literally) powerful biblical name, which shares the desirable nickname of Sam.
    • Sandie
      • Sandra
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Alessandra, Italian from Greek
        • Meaning:

          "defending men"
        • Description:

          2012's Hurricane Sandy blew away whatever style currency Sandra retained from its 1960s Sandra Dee heyday. While in recent years it's been associated with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as a baby name Sandra is sinking beneath the waves.
      • Sandrine
        • Origin:

          French variation of Alexandra
        • Description:

          Sophisticated French choice. Or toxic petrochemical.
      • Saoirse
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "liberty"
        • Description:

          Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones, few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way edging its way into the mainstream, particularly, of course, with parents who have Irish roots. It made its first appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2016, when it was the third-fastest-rising girls' name.
      • Sargent
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Sergeant, Latin
        • Meaning:

          "to serve"
        • Description:

          One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative, artistic association with painter John Singer Sargent.
      • Satchel
        • Origin:

          American nickname
        • Description:

          First Woody Allen, then Spike Lee named their children to honor the great early black pitcher, Leroy "Satchel" Paige. A bit luggage-related for non-celebrity use, however.
      • Saul
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "prayed for"
        • Description:

          Jewish parents in particular may be drawn to this quiet, composed name of the first king of Israel and the name of Saint Paul before his conversion. In modern times, it has been associated with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Saul Bellow. Its meaning makes it appropriate for a long-awaited child.

          Saul is a character in a John Dryden poem, and heard in the Handel oratorio, "Saul."

      • Savannah
        • Origin:

          Spanish
        • Meaning:

          "flat tropical grassland"
        • Description:

          A place name with a deep Southern accent, the once-obscure Savannah shot to fame, with others of its genre, on the heels of the best seller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in the mossy Georgia city of Savannah. Originally a substitute for the overused Samantha, Savannah is now becoming overused itself, long among the top girls' names starting with S.
      • Sawyer
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "woodcutter"
        • Description:

          Sawyer is a surname with a more relaxed and friendly feel than many others, and is one of the hottest occupational names right now, with the Nameberry seal of approval. Sawyer is becoming one of the top unisex names. Both Sara Gilbert and Diane Farr used Sawyer for their daughters, while it was given a boost as a boys' name by the character Sawyer on Lost, an alias for the character really named James Ford.
      • Sax
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Saxon
        • Description:

          Rhythmic and sensual -- maybe too sensual, in terms of playground teasing. Sax Rohmer was the nom de plume of the prolific English novelist who created Dr.Fu Manchu.
      • Saxon
        • Origin:

          German
        • Meaning:

          "people of the dagger"
        • Description:

          Saxon is unusual word name that nevertheless feels right on trend, with that sharp X in the middle and that two-syllable-ending-in-n pattern. Reminiscent of Roman but not yet so popular, Saxon is one to watch out for.
      • Scotland
        • Origin:

          Place-name
        • Description:

          Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin's daughter Ireland opened up the map for names like Scotland, and now that it's been chosen by Kourtney Kardashian for her daughter Penelope's middle name -- in honor of daddy Scott Disick -- Scotland is sure to appear on more birth certificates. Can Scotlyn be far behind?
      • Scott
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "from Scotland"
        • Description:

          A cool, windswept, surfer babe-magnet in 1965, a nice dad -- or even granddad -- today.
      • Scottie
        • Origin:

          Scottish
        • Meaning:

          "Scot"
        • Description:

          A sweet, slightly old-school nickname name with a cheerful image.
      • Scout
        • Origin:

          Word name
        • Description:

          Chosen for their daughter by Bruce and Demi (inspired by the To Kill a Mockingbirdcharacter), and for her son by Tai Babilonia, an interesting choice for either sex, with overtones of a "good scout" and the upstanding qualities of a Boy/Girl Scout.
      • Seal
        • Origin:

          English word and nature name
        • Description:

          Projects the sleek and playful image of the aquatic mammal, plus that of the striking British-born Brazilian/Nigerian/Afro-Caribbean singer (born Sealhenry).