S: the hissing letter and its sea of names
More English words begin with S than with any other letter, and the same abundance shows up in names. S is the second-largest letter in our collection, behind only A. It began as the Phoenician shin, a word for tooth, drawn as a row of jagged peaks. Say a few S names aloud and you can hear the soft hiss that makes them feel smooth and friendly.
Wisdom in three languages
Sophia is Greek, Sophie is its French form and Sofia is the Italian spelling, and all three mean wisdom. The Greek word sophia is the root of philosophy, "love of wisdom". Few meanings travel so widely, and choosing among the spellings is mostly a matter of heritage and taste.
Sky, sea and sun
Many S names look up. Selene is the Greek moon, Sol is the Spanish sun, Solveig is a Norse name meaning "sun path", Sora is Japanese for sky, and Sky and Skye bring in the heavens and a Scottish island. Summer, Savannah and Sage add a lighter, English-language touch. Together they make S the letter for parents who like names that feel open and airy.
Sanskrit wishes
A large share of the letter comes from Indian names. Shreya means auspicious, Shanti means peace, Sneha means affection, Sapna means dream, and Siddharth means "one who achieved his goal". Sanskrit names are often wishes for the child, which makes them easy to understand and lovely to say.
S names worth a closer look
- Saoirse
An Irish name meaning freedom, with a distinctive sound that is easy to learn.
- Selene
A Greek moon goddess name, rare and silvery.
- Solveig
A Norse name with a sunlit meaning and a gentle, singing sound.
- Sakura
The Japanese word for cherry blossom, instantly recognizable and graceful.
- Soren
A Scandinavian name with a serious meaning and a modern, minimalist sound.
Famous people whose first names start with S
- Serena Williams, the tennis champion with 23 Grand Slam singles titles
- Sally Ride, the first American woman in space
- Sojourner Truth, the abolitionist and women's rights advocate
- Satyajit Ray, the Indian filmmaker behind the Apu Trilogy
- Stephen Hawking, the physicist who explained black holes to a wide audience
- Simone Biles, the gymnast with more World Championship medals than any other
- Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor
Questions about S names
How do you pronounce Saoirse?
It is usually said "SEER-sha". In some parts of Ireland it sounds more like "SUR-sha".
What is the difference between Sophia, Sophie and Sofia?
They share the Greek root for wisdom. Sophia is the Greek form, Sophie is French, and Sofia is the Italian and Spanish spelling.