Find out how popular the first name So has been for the last 39 years (from 1979 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of So by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, So is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 90% of people named So being female.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name So.

It's also interesting to see that despite So being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2017 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named So.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named So in 2017, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name So

The given name So has its origins in ancient China, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. It is a Chinese unisex name that is believed to be derived from the Middle Chinese word "su," which means "plain" or "simple." In its earliest forms, the name was written using the Chinese characters 素 or 疏.

During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), the name So gained popularity among the upper classes of Chinese society. It was often given to children as a reminder to live a life of simplicity and humility. The name can be found in various historical records and texts from this period, including the "Book of Han" and the "Records of the Grand Historian."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name So was So Qian, a renowned Chinese philosopher and historian who lived from 145 BCE to 86 BCE. He is best known for his work "Records of the Grand Historian," which is considered one of the most influential historical texts in Chinese literature.

Another notable figure with the name So was So Ying, a female poet and calligrapher who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). She was renowned for her elegant and graceful calligraphy style, and her poems were widely celebrated for their lyrical beauty.

In the 12th century, a Buddhist monk named So Dogen introduced the Soto school of Zen Buddhism to Japan. His teachings and writings, particularly the work "Shobogenzo," had a profound impact on the development of Zen Buddhism in Japan and beyond.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), a famous Chinese artist and calligrapher named So Shun-Leung gained widespread recognition for his landscape paintings and calligraphic works. His paintings are celebrated for their delicate brushwork and their ability to capture the essence of nature.

In more recent history, So Nyun Ga, a Korean freedom fighter and independence activist, played a significant role in the Korean independence movement against Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century. She was a prominent figure in the March 1st Movement of 1919 and was imprisoned for her activities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name So was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of So, please contact us.

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