Boy names starting with S lean traditional. There’s saintly Sebastian and Old Testament Samuel near the top of the list, both very popular baby boy names right now.
But every letter offers rich variety, and S is no exception.
Surname names abound. So do word names, from gentle Shepherd to bold Steel.
Traditional Steven and Stephen remain steadily popular, while international forms – like Stefan – are less common today. (The Spanish Esteban ranks in the current US Top 500, but, of course, that’s not an S name.)
In terms of rank, S names for boys come in 11th place out of 26. You’re far more likely to meet a boy with a J or an A name, but boy names starting with S are plentiful, too.
POPULAR BOY NAMES STARTING WITH S
SEBASTIAN (#13)
A gentlemanly choice, Sebastian feels traditional. But it’s more popular today than ever before.
SAMUEL (#20)
Nearly every Samuel is a Sammy or a Sam, an all-boy name as down-to-earth as Jack, as accessible as Joe.
SANTIAGO (#45)
The Spanish form of Saint James, Santiago is a favorite throughout the Spanish-speaking world – including the US.
SILAS (#81)
From Silvanus, this New Testament name refers to the forest.
SAWYER (#127)
Tom Sawyer makes this surname name an easy, Americana favorite.
STETSON (#182)
In the nineteenth century, John B. Stetson created the must-have hat for the West. It makes this surname name sound rugged and at home on the range.
SIMON (#248)
Simon sounds intelligent and capable, a thoughtful name with a traditional vibe.
STEVEN (#250)
Classic Steven once reached as high as #10. And it ranked in the US Top 100 from the 1940s well into the early years of the 2000s. So maybe it’s natural that this name has slowed down in recent years.
SAINT (#313)
Once an extreme celebrity choice, Saint has gained in use – and quickly! Depending on your point-of-view, Saint can be a bold virtue name.
SONNY (#354)
A casual nickname name, Sonny has long been given as a formal name, too.
SULLIVAN (#358)
Charming Irish surname name.
SPENCER (#362)
A preppy, polished surname name for a son. Hollywood leading man Spencer Tracy starred opposite Katharine Hepburn in nine movies and remains an icon of Golden Age Hollywood. It’s also spelled Spenser, as in 1980s television favorite Spenser: For Hire, rebooted by Netflix in 2020 with Mark Wahlberg in the title role.
STEPHEN (#363)
Another spelling for Steven, equally traditional – but serving to obscure the name’s true popularity. Potentially confusing point: while Stephen is almost always pronounced with a middle V sound, basketball star Steph Curry favors Stef.
SHILOH (#388)
Found in the Old Testament and on the map, Shiloh’s sound and meaning appeal – tranquil.
STERLING (#403)
Sterling once referred to currency; today it is just as likely to mean “of high quality.”
SERGIO (#406)
The romance language form of Sergius and Serge is, by far, the most popular form of this name in English.
SHEPHERD (#409)
A gentle surname name with strong spiritual overtones.
SANTINO (#420)
An Italian cousin to Saint.
SAGE (#422)
Sage offers so many meanings: it’s a virtue name suggesting wisdom, a colorful one in a shade of green, and a nature name, too.
SEAN (#426)
The friendly Irish form of John, Sean became an 1970s and 80s favorite. Today, names like Finn feel more current.
SOLOMON (#444)
An Old Testament name with an appealing meaning: peace.
SUTTON (#446)
Rising fast for girls, but equally appealing for our sons, Sutton originally referred to any settlement in the south.
SYLAS (#463)
An alternative spelling for Silas that makes nickname Sy more obvious.
SETH (#524)
Either an Old Testament name, or possibly borrowed from an Egyptian god.
SOREN (#544)
A Danish name made famous by philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.
SHANE (#555)
Another take on the Irish Sean, first made popular by 1953 Western movie Shane.
SAUL (#565)
A name from both the Old and New Testaments, the Hebrew Saul offers a great meaning: prayed for. It’s also made famous by long-running television character Saul Goodman, of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame.
SAMSON (#569)
An Old Testament hero, as well as a Welsh saint from the 500s, Samson could be an alternative to traditional Samuel.
SAMIR (#585)
An Arabic name meaning companion, or possibly a Sanskrit name meaning air, Samir is effortlessly international and shortens to easy nickname Sam.
SINCERE (#592)
Fresh virtue name possibility, a brother for Legend or Justice.
SCOTT (#599)
A favorite from the 1960s and 70s, Scott originally referred to someone from Scotland. Now it’s more dad name than anything, but chances are that bright, brisk Scott will make a comeback … eventually.
SALEM (#629)
A Biblical place name that inspired other towns, the most famous Salem is probably in Massachusetts. While the tragic events of the late 1600s may seem like the distant past, the town has become synonymous with witchcraft. It lends Salem a little bit of darkness.
SHAWN (#632)
An Anglicized form of the Irish Sean. The spelling Shaun is also seen, though it’s currently out of the US Top 1000.
SAM (#672)
Most Sams are really Samuel, but some are Samson or Samir … while others might be just Sam. A good choice for parents who like Max more than Maxwell and Theo over Theodore.
SANTANA (#677)
A place name derived from the Spanish phrase meaning Saint Anne, Santana has been used for girls and boys in recent years – but at the moment, it’s more popular for boys. Credit to legendary guitarist Carlos Santana.
SALVADOR (#701)
A Spanish form of a Latin name meaning savior, Salvador is dashing and creative. Think of the artist Salvador Dali or designer Salvador Ferragamo.
SKYLER (#725)
Dutch surname Schuyler meets former surname favorite Tyler for a stylish, nature-name-tinged possibility.
SEVYN (#784)
A creative take on Seven, currently more popular than the original. College football star Sevyn Banks might get credit for the spelling’s rise.
SANTOS (#795)
This surname comes from the Spanish phrase todos los santos – all of the saints.
SEVEN (#803)
A name that signals good fortune as well as the seventh day in the Book of Genesis, Seven feels like much more than just a number.
STANLEY (#807)
A fashionable surname from the 1910s, Stanley fell in use from the 1950s onward. And while it’s not quite back today, this name is attracting more attention from young parents. It brings to mind the Stanley Cup, as in the ice hockey trophy, as well as stylish Stanley cups, the go-to water bottle for a generation.
SEMAJ (#902)
Yes, it’s James spelled backwards. But after fifty-plus years of sparing use, steadily increasing, the name’s appeal is established.
SALVATORE (#914)
Italian equivalent of Salvador. The final syllable is pronounced – sal va tor ay – in Italian, but possibly not by English-speaking parents.
SHMUEL (#929)
Samuel, by way of modern Hebrew.
SHEPARD (#954)
Another spelling of Shepherd, long in use as a surname.
STEFAN (#962)
Pan-European take on Steven.
STONE (#990)
Another name that suggests enduring qualities, nature name Stone is familiar thanks to journalist Stone Phillips.
RARE & UNIQUE BABY BOY NAMES BEGINNING WITH S
SACHIN
From a Sanskrit name meaning real or true.
SADIQ
Arabic name meaning loyal, with multiple possible spellings in English. Current Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn is one notable bearer.
SAILOR
Along with Saylor, Sailor is more common as a girl’s given name. But just like any occupational surname, it works for both – especially if your family has a connection with the sea.
SALMAN
As in celebrated author Salman Rushdie. The name comes from Arabic and means safe.
SANCHO
Likely a cousin to Saint, the most famous Sancho might be Don Quixote’s faithful companion, Sancho Panza.
SANFORD
A polished place name.
SASHA
Short for Alexander in Slavic languages, Sasha is more common for girls in the US, but still feels unisex.
SATCHEL
As in baseball legend Satchel Paige, born Leroy. His claimed his nickname came from a part-time job carrying luggage at the train station, but that’s not the only story. Paige passed away in 1982. The name rose in use after Mia Farrow and Woody Allen welcomed son Satchel Ronan Farrow, now a journalist known by his middle name.
SAVION
Legendary dancer and choreographer Savion Glover put his name on the map. It might be invented, though it sounds like it should be a name. It rose quietly in use in the years following Glover’s 1985 Broadway debut – he was eleven. Following Glover’s smash hit, Tony Award-nominated 1996 show Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk, Savion even spent over a decade in the US Top 1000.
SAXON
Borrowed from the name of a Germanic tribe, sharp Saxon originally referred to a type of knife.
SCORPIO
Astrological sign associated with the scorpion and the month of November. It sounds a little Harry Potter, but in our age of Orion and so many o-ending favorites, it could wear well.
SCOUT
An adventurous, outdoorsy pick. To Kill a Mockingbird gave it to a girl, but Scout seems like an equal opportunity word name.
SEAMUS
The Irish form of James.
SEGER
Rock legend Bob Seger could put this last name right up there with Hendrix.
SEELEY
A surname name meaning happy, television crime drama Bones gave us FBI Agent Seeley Booth.
SEKOU
A Western African name equivalent to the title Sheikh.
SEM
Popular in the Netherlands now, this brief name comes from the Old Testament Shem, one of Noah’s sons.
SERGE
From the ancient Sergius, this name is known in many European languages, but neglected in English.
SEVERIN
From the Roman family name Severus – as in Snape – this name sounds like its meaning: severe or stern. Severino is another form.
SEYMOUR
A saintly surname, Seymour was originally a Norman place name derived from Saint Maur.
SHAI
A Hebrew name meaning gift, Shai is better known in English as Jesse.
SHAKA
The name of a famed Zulu warrior king.
SHAQUILLE
Towering NBA star Shaquille O’Neal makes this spelling famous, but Shakil is a traditional Arabic name meaning handsome.
SHARIF
Arabic name meaning virtuous. It looks like sheriff, but emphasis is on the second syllable: sha REEF.
SHAW
The Fast & Furious franchise made this surname feel like a potential first, especially after 2019’s Hobbs & Shaw installment put the name in the title.
SHEA
An upbeat Irish surname, Shea means fortunate. Or, if you’re a baseball fan, it refers to the stadium that was the long-time of the New York Mets.
SHELDON
An Old English place name, Sheldon is famous thanks to The Big Bang Theory’s brilliant, stubborn, and idiosyncratic Sheldon Cooper. A spinoff series called Young Sheldon details the character’s childhood. The similar Shelton is also sometimes heard.
SHERLOCK
As in Holmes.
SHERMAN
Another surname occasionally promoted to the first spot.
SHIA
Hebrew name meaning “gift of God,” made famous by actor Shia LaBeouf.
SHIVA
From a Sanskrit name meaning kind, Shiva is a destroyer god in Hinduism. That sounds dark, but Shiva’s goal is to remove evil from the world.
SHOLTO
Scottish name long associated with Clan Douglas.
SID
If Max and Gus stand on their own, then so does Sid. It’s a little more punk rock than Sidney, thanks to darkly tragic musician Sid Vicious.
SIDNEY
An English surname name, Sidney had become much more popular for girls. But ice hockey legend Sidney Crosby could be one of the reason that has changed in recent years.
SILVIO
The masculine equivalents of Silvia, Sylvia, and Syvlie. They sound like silver, but come from silva – woods.
SIMBA
As in the Lion King’s central character. Simba literally means lion in Swahili.
SIMEON
An Old Testament name that fits with Julian and Adrian.
SINBAD
The name of a fictional, adventuring sailor, immortalized in the Middle Eastern folk tales One Thousand and One Nights. He’s been reinvented ever since, but the name has never quite filtered into more general use.
SINCLAIR
A French surname by way of Scotland, based on place name Saint Clair.
SINJIN and ST. JOHN
Regardless of the spelling, this name is pronounced Sinjin.
SIR
Beyonce and Jay-Z gave this name to their baby boy. It’s climbed in use since the famous couple put it on our radar.
SISCO
Originally short for Francisco, Sisco sounds upbeat and approachable. It’s also spelled Cisco – as in O. Henry’s fictional hero of the Old West, the Cisco Kid.
SIXTO
It sounds like six – and it might refer to the number. But it can also mean polished.
SKEET
Actor Skeet Ulrich’s unusual name comes from childhood. (His birth name is Bryan.) There’s also skeet shooting, a type of clay target shooting that’s included in the summer Olympics.
SKIP
A nickname sometimes used for a junior, and occasionally given as a formal name.
SKY
An easy nature name, Sky suggests optimism, as well as unlimited potential.
SLADE
An English surname name with a cool, edgy sound. A British glam rock band by the name dominated the UK charts in the 1970s.
SLATE
A type of rock, Slate can refer to tiles made from the material, or perhaps its gray color.
SLATER
A Slater was probably a roofer, or someone who worked with slate tiles. It sounds impossibly cool.
SLOAN, SLOANE
Mostly heard for girls, but a surname possibility that would work well for a son, too.
SMITH
The most common surname has yet to catch on as a first for our children.
SOCRATES
It would be a lot to live up to, but the Greek philosopher’s name is unforgettable.
SORREL
A color name, referring to the chestnut shade of a horse’s coat, or a type of herb – and yes, a surname and sometimes given name, too.
SOVANN
Unisex Khmer name meaning gold.
SPIKE
Like Skip and Skeet, Spike feels a little more like a nickname than a formal first name. But actor and comedian Mike Myers chose the name for his son in 2011. (Meyers also has daughters named Sunday Molly and Paulina Kathleen with wife Kelly Tisdale.) He’s cited comedian Spike Milligan – born Terence – as one of the reasons for his son’s name choice.
SPIRIDON
Also spelled Spyridon, it’s the name of a fourth century saint.
SQUIRE
Originally a name for a knight’s young apprentice, Squire meant gentleman by the nineteenth century. Today it’s less dramatic than Duke or Earl, but in the same general category.
STANFORD
A place name like Sanford, but with a different vibe, thanks to the exclusive California university.
STANTON
Stanton would fit right in with so many two-syllable, ends-with-n names for boys.
STEEL
A type of iron, Steel is something of a virtue name, projecting strength and constancy.
STELLAN
It looks like the masculine form of Stella – from the Latin word for star – though Stellan almost certainly has separate origins.
STOKELY
An English place name turned surname, civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael put it on the map. (Though Carmichael later adopted the name Kwame Ture.)
STORY
A literary name that never quite caught on, Story is every bit as wearable as word names like River or Lyric.
STUART
A Scottish surname and a royal house, also spelled Stewart. This name feels traditional, familiar, and unexpected, too.
SULEIMAN
With at least half-a-dozen spellings, this Arabic form of Solomon appears in the history books thanks to sixteenth century sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. He ruled the Ottoman Empire for nearly fifty years.
SUMNER
Once a surname name for one who summoned others to official business, Sumner now sounds like a boy’s name in the key of Hunter and Spencer.
SVEN
A Scandi import worn by kings and notables aplenty, but rare in the US – unless you count the reindeer in Frozen.
SVERRE
Another Scandinavian name, Sverre comes from an Old Norse name meaning wild.
SWAIN, SWAINE
A smooth surname name, probably originally derived from a word meaning servant. For years, swain has also been another word for suitor.
SWAYZE
Borrowed from the surname of the late actor Patrick Swayze.
SWITHIN
The name of a medieval saint from Winchester, England. If it rains on his feast day, July 15th, a rainy 40-day summer is said to follow.
SYLVESTER
A cousin to Silas, Sylvester also comes from the Latin silva – the forest. It brings to mind Sylvester Stallone and the animated Sylvester the cat. There’s a saint by the name, too. Because his feast day is December 31st, some European countries traditionally referred to New Year’s Eve as St. Sylvester’s Day, or even just Sylvester.
What are your favorite boy names starting with S?
Originally published on October 19, 2020, this post was revised substantially and re-published on April 18, 2022; February 19, 2024; and August 29, 2024.
