AHEAD: The ultimate list of S names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.
If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter S, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single S name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
There are only 43 “S” names ranking in the top 1000.
There are also a bunch of other great S names that are more rare (without being too out there).
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these cool boys’ names starting with the letter S.
Related: Girl Names that Start with S
Popular boy names that start with S
Kicking off our list of “S” names with some cool monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 600.
Saint
- Name meaning: A holy or virtuous person.
- Popularity: #454
Samson
- Name meaning: Sun.
- Popularity: #590
Sebastian
- Name meaning: Person from Sebastia.
- Popularity: #19
Shane
- Name meaning: Graced by God.
- Popularity: #493
Silas or Sylas
- Name meaning: Man of the forest.
- Popularity: Silas ranks #91 and Sylas is #536.
Related: Middle Names for Silas
Soren
- Name meaning: Stern or severe.
- Popularity: #537
Sterling
- Name meaning: Excellent. First-rate. Type of silver.
- Popularity: #382
Stetson
- Name meaning: Unknown meaning.
- Popularity: #371
Sullivan
- Name meaning: Little dark-eyed one.
- Popularity: #373
If you like these cool boy names that start with S you’ll also like this list of southern names.
Gender-neutral “S” names
All of these S names would work for a boy or a girl.
Sage
- Name meaning: Grayish green herb. Wise.
- Popularity: Sage ranks #427 for boys and #179 for girls.
Salem
- Name meaning: Peace or safety.
- Popularity: Salem ranks #718 for boys and #506 for girls.
Sawyer
- Name meaning: Person who saws timberwood.
- Popularity: Sawyer ranks #114 for boys and #216 for girls.
Saylor or Sailor
- Name meaning: Boat worker.
- Popularity: Neither of these names is ranking for boys. Saylor ranks #258 for girls.
Shiloh
- Name meaning: Tranquil. Peaceful.
- Popularity: Shiloh ranks #581 for boys and #410 for girls.
Skyler
- Name meaning: Scholar.
- Popularity: Skyler ranks #691 for boys and #556 for girls.
Sutton
- Name meaning: Southern settlement.
- Popularity: Sutton ranks #541 for boys and #244 for girls.
If you like these gender-neutral names that start with the letter S you’ll also like this list of nonbinary names.
Rare “S” names
These boys’ names starting with S are perfect if you want something a little edgy and unusual.
Sagan
- Name meaning: Many possible meanings: kettle, noisy man, wise one.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Sirius
- Name meaning: Glowing. This is the brightest star in the night sky.
- Popularity: This space name isn’t ranking.
Slade
- Name meaning: From the valley.
- Popularity: This boys’ name hasn’t ranked since 2010.
Slate
- Name meaning: Grayish rock.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Smith
- Name meaning: Blacksmith.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Stone
- Name meaning: Rock.
- Popularity: This German name last ranked in 2019.
Storm
- Name meaning: Weather event.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Stryker
- Name meaning: Occupational name.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Summit
- Name meaning: Highest point of a mountain.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Sutter
- Name meaning: Shoemaker.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
If you like these rare boy names that start with S you might also like this list of edgy names.
Timeless “S” names
These S boys’ names have been around forever and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!
Samuel or Sam
- Name meaning: Name of God or God heard.
- Popularity: Samuel ranks #23 and Sam is #657.
Saul
- Name meaning: Prayed for.
- Popularity: #554
Scott
- Name meaning: From Scottland.
- Popularity: #607
Sean or Shawn
- Name meaning: Irish version of John, meaning graced by God.
- Popularity: Sean ranks #363 and Shawn is #508.
Seth
- Name meaning: Appointed.
- Popularity: #490
Sheldon
- Name meaning: Steep valley.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2012.
Shepherd
- Name meaning: Herder of sheep.
- Popularity: Shepherd ranks #528 and Shepard is #961.
Simon
- Name meaning: Listen. Hearing.
- Popularity: #247
Solomon
- Name meaning: Man of peace. A biblical name.
- Popularity: #422
Sonny
- Name meaning: Son.
- Popularity: #497
Spencer
- Name meaning: Dispenser of provisions.
- Popularity: #315
Steven
- Name meaning: Wreath, crown, honor, reward, royalty, fame.
- Popularity: Steven ranks #235 and Stephen is #341.
If you like these timeless boy names that start with S you might also like this list of 2-syllable names.
Global “S” names
This next batch of boys’ S names comes from across the globe.
Salvador or Salvatore or Salvator
- Name meaning: Savior.
- Popularity: Salvador ranks #727, Salvatore is #941, and Salvator isn’t ranking.
Samir
- Name meaning: Evening conversationalist.
- Popularity: #675
Santana
- Name meaning: Santa Ana.
- Popularity: #575
Santiago
- Name meaning: Saint James. The capital and largest city of Chile.
- Popularity: #63
Santino
- Name meaning: Little saint.
- Popularity: #417
Santos
- Name meaning: Saint.
- Popularity: #854
Sergio
- Name meaning: Protector. Servant of the law.
- Popularity: #384
Stefan
- Name meaning: Wreath, crown, honor, reward, royalty, fame.
- Popularity: #892
If you like these global boy names that start with S you may also like this list of French boy names.
“S” names that are past their prime
IMHO, the following S boys’ names have seen better days.
That said, as you’ll see by their rankings, plenty of people disagree with me! All of these names are in the top 1000.
Seven
- Name meaning: Number.
- Popularity: #860
Sincere
- Name meaning: Genuine.
- Popularity: #600
Stanley
- Name meaning: Stoney meadow.
- Popularity: #791
Final thoughts on “S” boy names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s cool, gender-neutral, rare, unique, or global, all of these boys’ names are fantastic choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
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