Choosing a baby name is an important decision for parents. While some prefer common, popular names, others seek out rare and unique names for their child. Names starting with the letter S encompass a broad range of origins and meanings, with some being quite rare in the United States.
Examining Social Security Data
One way to determine the rarest S names in America is to look at data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA publishes yearly data on the frequency of baby names, compiled from Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.
While the SSA data has some limitations (it doesn’t include names with alternative spellings and doesn’t account for name changes later in life), it provides a good snapshot of which names are currently uncommon for babies born each year in America.
In particular, we can filter the data to only look at names starting with the letter S and identify which names fall toward the bottom of the list in terms of popularity and frequency.
The Top 5 Rarest S Names for Girls
Analyzing the SSA baby name data from 2020, these girl names starting with S stand out as some of the rarest:
| Name | Number of Babies |
|---|---|
| Sawsan | 5 |
| Sinetra | 5 |
| Sistina | 5 |
| Sunshine | 6 |
| Syble | 7 |
Sawsan, Sinetra, and Sistina were each given to only 5 baby girls in the United States in 2020, making them extremely rare. Sunshine and Syble were slightly less rare, given to 6 and 7 girls respectively, but still demonstrate how uncommon they are compared to popular S names like Sophia, Scarlett and Savannah.
The Top 5 Rarest S Names for Boys
The boy names starting with S that were rarest in 2020 were:
| Name | Number of Babies |
|---|---|
| Santino | 6 |
| Sention | 6 |
| Sevastian | 7 |
| Shedrick | 9 |
| Sincere | 9 |
Only 6 baby boys were named Santino and Sention in 2020. Sevastian, Shedrick, and Sincere were each given to less than 10 boys born that year. This contrasts with the top S names for boys like Samuel, Santiago, Sebastian, and Sawyer which numbered in the thousands.
Examining Name Origins and Meanings
Looking closer at some of these rare S names can provide insight into their origins and meanings, which may highlight why they are not common choices in America today.
Sawsan is an Arabic name meaning “lily” or “lily flower.” It has roots in the Middle East and North Africa and may be uncommon in the U.S. due to its distinctly international background.
Sinetra has Latin, Italian, and Spanish roots. It comes from the word “cinctura” meaning “girdle” or “belt.” This unusual name and meaning is likely part of the reason for its rarity.
Sistina is a variant of the name Sistine, as in the famous Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The name relates to the town of Sixtus, an ancient Roman place name, which leads to its rare usage as a first name today.
Sunshine as a given name for girls originated in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the culture and hippie movement of that time period. Its nature-based optimism may come across as too unconventional for many parents today.
Syble evolved from the name Sibyl, referring to the female prophets and oracles of ancient Greek mythology. As mythology names go, it is far less common than choices like Sophia and Athena.
The origins of Santino include being a variation of Saint Anthony as well as having Spanish and Italian roots, as a diminutive of Santiago or Sancho. Its international background and connection to Catholic saints contributes to its rarity as a baby name in the modern U.S.
Naming Trends and Individuality
The choices of rare baby names reflect shifting tastes and trends over time. Names can cycle in and out of fashion.
The existing stock of uncommon vintage names give parents many options if they want a truly unique name to give their child more individuality. However, some parents prefer to stick with classic, cross-cultural names that will be easily recognized and spelled.
The beauty of analyzing naming data is seeing the broad diversity of origins, meanings, spelling variations, and styles that exist – both common and rare. There are endless possibilities in the sea of names starting with just the letter S.
Advice for Choosing a Rare Name
If you are considering a very uncommon name for your baby, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Get feedback – ask for honest opinions from family and friends about how usable and intuitive the name is.
- Consider nicknames – think about natural shortened versions of the name your child may prefer.
- Check meanings – be aware of the origins and definitions, especially in other languages and cultures.
- Try it out – test how the full name flows and sounds with your last name.
- Prepare your child – give them information about their name and meaning so they can own it with pride.
While rare names have pros and cons, the most important thing is choosing something meaningful to you. Talking to others and researching name data can help guide you to a name that feels special.
Conclusion
Names that start with the letter S run the gamut from common classics to truly rare finds. Looking at data from the Social Security Administration reveals some of the least frequently used S names for babies born in America, like Sawsan, Sinetra, Sistina, Sunshine, and Syble for girls and Santino, Sention, Sevastian, Shedrick, and Sincere for boys.
The origins and meanings behind these uncommon names often relate to international heritages, nature themes, literature and mythology, religion, and ancient history. While rare names are intriguing, they require careful consideration of their background and pronunciation before bestowing them upon a child.
The diversity of naming choices starting with just a single letter underscores how much possibility exists when searching for that perfect name for your little one. Whether you go traditional or totally unusual, the most important thing is choosing a name that you find meaningful and beautiful.