Soley
A feminine name of Old Norse origin meaning "the sun's ray".
Name Census estimates that about 192 living Americans carry the first name Soley. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Soley today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Soley births was 2018 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Soley. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
192
~ 1 in 1,785,179 Americans
Peak year
2018
14 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2024 SSA rank
#10,148
Tracked since 2000
Popularity
Soley: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Soley from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 80 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Soley remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Soley by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Soley during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Soley
The name Soley is believed to have its origins in the Old Norse language, originating from the regions of Scandinavia during the Viking Age, which spanned from the late 8th century to the late 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "sóli," which means "sun" or "sunshine," reflecting the importance of the sun in Norse mythology and culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Soley can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of narratives dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. In these sagas, Soley was often used as a feminine name, possibly symbolizing the warmth and radiance associated with the sun.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Soley. One such person was Soley Thorkelsdottir (1858-1936), an Icelandic writer and poet known for her contributions to the country's literary landscape. Her works often explored themes of nature, love, and the struggles of everyday life.
Another significant figure was Soley Kristjansdottir (1908-1996), an Icelandic actress and theater director who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Icelandic theater. Her performances and direction captivated audiences and left a lasting impact on the country's cultural scene.
In the realm of politics, Soley Tómasdóttir (1937-2021) was an Icelandic politician and women's rights activist who served as a member of the Icelandic parliament (Althingi) for several terms. She was a vocal advocate for gender equality and played a crucial role in shaping policies that advanced women's rights in Iceland.
Soley Fidjeland (born 1990) is a contemporary Icelandic actress and model who has gained recognition for her roles in various Icelandic television series and films. Her talent and versatility have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated following in her home country and beyond.
Lastly, Soley Birgisdottir (born 1988) is an Icelandic singer-songwriter and musician. Her unique blend of indie-pop and folk styles has captivated audiences worldwide, and she has released several albums that showcase her songwriting talents and distinctive vocal abilities.
People
Soley + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Soley as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Soley: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Soley?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 192 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Soley going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,785,179 US residents.
Is Soley a common name?
We classify Soley as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 194 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Soley most popular?
The single biggest year for Soley was 2018, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Soley is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Soley a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Soley in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.