$Unique_ID{PAR00360} $Font{NP} $Pretitle{} $Title{Names for Boys: S} $Subtitle{} $Author{ Editors of Consumer Guide Harder, Kelsey} $Subject{Names Boys S} $Log{} The Ultimate Baby Name Book Names for Boys: S Sacarias (see Zachary) Sacco (see Isaac) Sachar (see Zachary) Sailbheastar (see Sylvester) Sal Form of Salvadore. Famous name: Sal Mineo (actor) Salavador (see Salvadore) Salbadora (see Salvadore) Sallie (see Salvadore) Salmon (see Soloman) Salomo (see Soloman) Salomon (see Soloman) Salomone (see Soloman) Salos (see Salvadore) Salud (see Salvadore) Salustiano (see Salvadore) Salvador (see Salvadore) Salvadore, Latin salvus, "save" or "savior." Like the name Jesus, Salvatore this name is popular in Spanish-speaking countries, but it's unusual elsewhere. Famous name: Salvador Dali (artist) Nicknames: Sal, Sallie, Sollie, Solly Variations: Chabalito, Chavo, Salavador, Salbadora, Salos, Salud, Salustiano, Salvador (Spanish), Salvardo, Salvatore (Italian), Salvino, Sauveur (French), Xavier (Spanish), Zlavador Salvardo (see Salvadore) Salvatore (see Salvadore) Sam Form of Sampson and Samuel. Uncle Sam, the symbol for the United States that became popular during World War II, is the best-known Sam in history. This name is enjoying renewed popularity and is fast becoming an independent name. Famous names: Sam Elliott (actor) Sam Levene (actor) Sam Rayburn (politician) Sam Shepard (playwright) Sami Form of Samuel. Famous name: Sami Frey (actor) Samin (see Samuel) Sammie (see Samuel) Sammy Form of Samuel. Famous name: Sammy Davis, Jr. (singer) Samouel (see Samuel) Samuel Hebrew "his name is God." The prophet Samuel wrote two books of the Old Testament that cover an important era in the early history of Israel. Like other biblical names, Samuel came into frequent use after the Protestant Reformation. Men of letters named Samuel include Samuel Butler, author of The Way of All Flesh; lexicographer and essayist Samuel Johnson; diarist Samuel Pepys; and Samuel Clemens, who wrote under the pen name Mark Twain. Samuel Adams was a leader of the American Revolution, and Samuel Houston was president of the Republic of Texas. Famous names: Samuel Barber (composer) Samuel Beckett (author) Samuel Taylor Coleridge (poet) Samuel Goldwyn (movie producer) Samuel Gompers (labor leader) Samuel Morse (inventor) Nicknames: Mel, Sam, Sammie, Sammy Variations: Samin, Samouel, Samuele (French and Italian), Samuelo, Sem, Shem (Hebrew), Shemuel (Hebrew), Somhairle (Irish) Samuele (see Samuel) Samuelo (see Samuel) Sanders (see Alexander) Sandor (see Alexander) Sandy Form of Alexander and names beginning with San-. Famous name: Sandy Koufax (baseball player) Santiago (see James) Sarge (see Sargent) Sargent Latin "server" or "attendant"; also, Middle English sergeant, an army enlisted person's rank. This unusual name became better known during the Kennedy presidency, when "Kennedy watching" was a national pastime. The president's brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, was the first director of the Peace Corps and later unsuccessfully ran for the vice-presidency on the McGovern/Shriver ticket. Other spelling: Sergeant Nicknames: Sarge, Sargie, Serge Sargie (see Sargent) Saunders (see Alexander) Sauveur (see Salvadore) Schuyler Dutch "teacher." Along the Hudson River, Dutch names still occur, for both places and people. Because of Philip John Schuyler, this name has become fairly well known as a given name. He was a soldier and statesman who served in the French and Indian Wars and the American Revolution. He participated in the Continental Congress and became a U.S. senator. Three counties in New York are named for him. Famous name: Schuyler Colfax (U.S. vice-president) Nickname: Sky Variation: Skylar Scot (see Scott) Scotie, Scotti, Scottie, Scotty (see Scott) Scott Old English "a Scotsman." This was the middle name of two famous Americans, Francis Scott Key, composer of the National Anthem, and the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, his grandson. The name became very popular in the 1970s, but it's less common today. Famous names: Scott Carpenter (astronaut) Scott Fletcher (baseball player) Scott Glenn (actor) Scott Joplin (composer) C. Scott Stratton (baseball player) Other spelling: Scot Nicknames: Scotie, Scottie, Scotty Variations: Scotti (Italian), Scuit Scuit (see Scott) Seaian (see John) Seamus (see James) Sean Irish form of John. Like other Irish names, Sean is currently a very popular name. Famous names: Shaun Cassidy (actor) Sean Connery (actor) Sean O'Casey (playwright) Sean Penn (actor) Other spelling: Shawn Variations: Seann, Shane Seann (see John) Sebastian Greek sebatos, "old," through Latin sebastianus, "man from Sebastia." The popularity of this name in French- and Spanish-speaking countries has never been equaled in England and the United States. St. Sebastian was martyred by being shot with arrows. This became a favorite subject for religious art. In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Sebastian is Viola's twin. Famous names: Sebastian Cabot (actor) Sebastian Coe (track athlete) Other spelling: Sebastien Variations: Baste (Scandinavian), Bastien (French), Basto (Italian), Cebastian, Sebastiano (Italian), Sebastianos (Greek), Sebastiene (French), Selbastiano, Sevastian Sebastiano (see Sebastian) Sebastianos (see Sebastian) Sebastien, Sebastiene (see Sebastian) Sefano (see Stephen) Selbastiano (see Sebastian) Selim (see Soloman) Selvestre (see Sylvester) Sem (see Samuel) Seosaidh (see Joseph) Serge (see Sargent) Sergeant (see Sargent) Sesilium (see Cecil) Sessylt (see Cecil) Seth Hebrew "appointed." Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve, and although the name is unusual, it's used more often than Cain or Abel, the names of Seth's older brothers. Famous name: Seth Thomas (clockmaker) Sevastian (see Sebastian) Seymore (see Seymour) Seymour Old English saemor, "marshland," from sae [sea] + mor [moor]. Famous name: Seymour Harris (economist) Other spelling: Seymore Nicknames: Morrie, Morris Shamus (see James, John) Shan (see John) Shane (see John, Sean) Shawn (see John, Sean) Sheldon Old English scylf-dun, "flat or slightly sloping hill." This name was more popular in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries than it is today. Famous names: Sheldon Cheney (writer) Sheldon Glashow (physicist) Nicknames: Shelley, Shelly Variation: Shelton Shelley, Shelly Old English scylf-leah, "flat or slightly sloping meadow"; also, a form of Sheldon. Famous name: Shelley Berman (comedian) Shelomoh (see Soloman) Shelton (see Sheldon) Shem (see Samuel) Shemuel (see Samuel) Sherm (see Sherman) Sherman Old English "man who shears sheep." This name is derived from a surname and usually honors Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman. During the Eisenhower administration, Sherman Adams, an aide to the president, was considered to be the most-powerful man in Washington until he was forced to resign for accepting gifts. Nicknames: Manny, Sherm, Shermie Shermie (see Sherman) Shimon (see Simon) Shomari Swahili "forceful." Shul (see Israel) Sicilio (see Cecil) Sid Form of Sidney. Famous name: Sid Caesar (comedian) Sidney Old French "Saint Denis." This name began as a surname derived from running together Saint and Denis. The name came to England from France several centuries ago and became a fairly popular given name. Sydney Carton is the hero of Charles Dickens' Tale of Two Cities. Famous names: Sidney Lanier (poet) Sidney Perelman (humorist) Sidney Poitier (actor) Sidney Sheldon (novelist) Other spelling: Sydney Nicknames: Sid, Syd Siegmund (see Sigmund) Sig (see Sigmund) Sigamond (see Sigmund) Sigismond (see Sigmund) Sigismondo (see Sigmund) Sigismund (see Sigmund) Sigismundo (see Sigmund) Sigismundus (see Sigmund) Sigmond (see Sigmund) Sigmund Old German sigumund, "victorious protector." This name has become synonymous with Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. Other spellings: Siegmund, Sigmond Nicknames: Sig, Zig, Ziggy Variations: Sigamond, Sigismond (French), Sigismondo (Italian), Sigismund (German), Sigismundo (Spanish), Sigismundus (Dutch) Silas (see Sylvester) Silvano (see Sylvester) Silverio (see Sylvester) Silvester, Silvestre (see Sylvester) Silvestro (see Sylvester) Sim (see Simon) Simao (see Simon) Simeon (see Simon) Simon Hebrew Shimeon, "he heard"; also Greek Simon, "snub nose (a nickname)." In honor of Simon Bolivar, who fought for the independence of South America from Spain and Portugal, this is an extremely popular name in many countries in Latin America. Famous name: Simon Rattle (conductor) Nickname: Sy Variations: Chimone, Jimeno, Moncho, Shimon (Hebrew), Sim (Scottish), Simao, Simeon (French), Simone (Italian), Simoneo, Simpkins, Simpson, Siomonn (Irish), Somona, Szymon, Ximon, Zimon Simone (see Simon) Simoneo (see Simon) Simpkins (see Simon) Simpson (see Simon) Sinclair Old French "Saint Clair." This name was derived in the same way as Sidney by combining "saint" with a name (in this case, St. Clair). Famous name: Sinclair Lewis (novelist) Singh Hindi from Sanskrit "lion." Siomonn (see Simon) Sirilio (see Cyril) Sissy (see Cecil) Sky (see Schuyler) Skylar (see Schuyler) Sly (see Sylvester) Sol (see Soloman) Solaman (see Soloman) Solamh (see Soloman) Sollie, Solly (see Salvatore, Soloman) Solomon Hebrew "peace"; also Latin sol, "sun." King Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, was the ruler of Israel about three thousand years ago. During his reign, many palaces and temples were built, and Israel began trading with other countries. The Song of Solomon, considered to be one of the most beautiful Hebrew poems, is attributed to him. The revival of biblical names, however, has not affected this name, although it has always been popular with Jewish parents. Famous name: Solomon Rapaport (playwright) Nicknames: Sol, Sollie, Solly, Zollie, Zolly Variations: Salmon, Salomo (Dutch and German), Salomon (French), Salomone (Italian and Spanish), Selim (Arabic), Shelomoh (Hebrew), Solaman, Solamh (Irish) Somhairle (see Samuel) Somona (see Simon) Sonnie, Sonny (see Madison, Mason) Spence (see Spencer) Spencer Middle English "steward" or "storekeeper." While more familiar as a surname than as a first name, the fame of actor Spencer Tracy initiated the use of Spencer as a given name. Other spelling: Spenser Nickname: Spence Spenser (see Spencer) Spofford Old English "place at the ford." Famous name: Spofford Grady English (chemist) Nickname: Spoof Variation: Spofforth Spofforth (see Spofford) Spoof (see Spofford) Sreko (see Ferdinand) Srulka (see Israel) Stan Form of Stanley. Famous names: Stan Laurel (comedian) Stan "the Man" Musial (baseball player) Stan Smith (tennis player) Stanleigh (see Stanley) Stanley Old English "rock meadow." This surname began to be used as a first name about two hundred years ago. Famous names: Stanley Kramer (movie director) Stanley Kubrick (movie director) Other spellings: Stanleigh, Stanly Nickname: Stan Stanly (see Stanley) Starling (see Sterling) Steaphan (see Stephen) Steenie (see Stephen) Stefan Swedish form of Stephen. Famous name: Stefan Edberg (tennis player) Stefano (see Stephen) Steffen (see Stephen) Stephan (see Stephen) Stephanos (see Stephen) Stephanus (see Stephen) Stephen Greek stephanos, "crown." The Book of Acts in the Bible relates the stoning of St. Stephen, who is considered the first Christian martyr. A few popes took this name; in Hungary, there were five kings named Stephen; in England, one King Stephen. But there are probably more famous Stephens in the last 100 years than during any time in history, including composer Stephen Collins Foster, who wrote "Oh! Susannah"; writer Stephen Crane, author of The Red Badge of Courage; Stephen Biko, the slain South African civil rights activist; American composer Stephen Sondheim, who is known for Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods; poet Stephen Spender; and English physicist Stephen Hawking. Famous names: Stephen Vincent Benet (poet) Stephen Collins (actor) Stephen Decatur (hero of the War of 1812) Stephen King (author) Other spellings: Stephen, Steven Nicknames: Steve, Stevie Variations: Astevan, Etienne (French), Esevan, Estaphano, Esteban (Spanish), Estefon, Estevan (Spanish), Estifano, Estivido, Fana, Fani, Sefano, Steaphan (Scottish), Steenie (Scottish), Stefan (Danish, German, and Russian), Stefano (Italian), Steffen (Welsh), Stephanos (Greek), Stephanus (Swedish), Stepka (Russian), Stevin (Dutch), Stiobhan (Irish), Tiennot (French), Vida Stepka (see Stephen) Sterling Old English stearling, "a starling." Along with Robin, this is one of the few popular "bird" names. It is also associated with the English unit of money, which was originally minted from pure, or sterling, silver. Famous names: Sterling Hayden (actor) Sterling Marlin (auto racer) Sterling Seagrave (biographer) Other spelling: Stirling Variation: Starling Steve Form of Stephen. Famous names: Steve Allen (TV personality) Steve Martin (comedian) Steve McQueen (actor) Steve Miller (musician) Steve Sax (baseball player) Stevie Wonder (musician) Nickname: Stevie Steven Variation of Stephen. Famous name: Steven Spielberg (movie producer and director) Stevie (see Stephen, Steve) Stevin (see Stephen) Stew (see Stewart) Steward (see Stewart) Stewart Old English Stigweard, "steward of the manor," from stig [hall] + ward [guard]. This name is derived from a surname and parents probably started to use it during the reign of the Scottish Stuarts on the English throne. Famous name: Stewart Udall (secretary of the Interior) Other spelling: Stuart Nicknames: Stew, Stu Variation: Steward Stiobhan (see Stephen) Stirling (see Sterling) Stoffel (see Christopher) Strom Greek "bed." Famous name: Strom Thurmond (U.S. senator) Stu (see Stewart) Stuart Variation of Stewart. Famous name: Stuart Taylor, Jr. (journalist) Susu (see Orson) Sworn Origin uncertain; possibly from the past participle of swear. This name may denote the taking of an oath, or a pledge, by the name giver for the health, success, or good fortune of the child. Sy Form of Simon or Sylvester. Syd (see Sidney) Sydney (see Sidney) Sylbestrio (see Sylvester) Sylvesdre (see Sylvester) Sylvester Latin "woody." While the feminine form Sylvia has been popular for centuries, this masculine form of a Roman surname isn't chosen by many new parents. As long as the cartoon cat Sylvester is remembered, it's unlikely that this name will become popular, unless Rambo fans go for it. Famous names: Frank Sylvester Flint (baseball player) Sylvester Stallone (actor) Other spelling: Silvester Nickname: Sly Variations: Cilvestra, Sailbheastar (Irish), Selvestre, Silas, Silvano, Silverio, Silvestre (French and Spanish), Silvestro (Italian), Sylbestrio, Sylvesdre Szymon (see Simon)