Find out how popular the first name Sonam has been for the last 38 years (from 1986 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sonam by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Sonam is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 81% of people named Sonam being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 17 female babies and 12 male babies born with the name Sonam.

The history of the first name Sonam

The name Sonam originates from the Tibetan language and culture. It is derived from the Tibetan word "so" meaning "heir" and "nam" meaning "lama" or "spiritual teacher". Together, the name Sonam means "heir of the lamas" or "successor of the spiritual teachers".

The name has a long history in Tibetan Buddhism, where it was traditionally given to young boys who were destined to become spiritual leaders or monks. It was believed that these children were reincarnations of great lamas or tulkus, and the name Sonam reflected their spiritual lineage and destiny.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sonam can be found in the 14th century, when Sonam Gyatso, a renowned Tibetan lama and leader of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, lived from 1312 to 1375. He was instrumental in establishing the Sakya monastery and spreading Buddhist teachings throughout Tibet.

Another notable figure in Tibetan history with the name Sonam was Sonam Rapten, who lived from 1492 to 1559. He was a skilled physician and scholar, renowned for his contributions to the field of Tibetan medicine and his translation of important Buddhist texts.

In the 17th century, Sonam Chosgyal (1575-1630) was a prominent political and religious leader in the Ganden Phodrang government of Tibet. He played a crucial role in the unification of Tibet and the establishment of the Dalai Lama lineage as the spiritual and temporal rulers of the country.

The name Sonam also has a strong presence in Bhutanese culture, which shares many religious and cultural ties with Tibet. One of the most famous figures in Bhutanese history with this name was Sonam Zangpo (1504-1553), a Buddhist scholar and master craftsman who is credited with introducing the Dzongkha script and shaping the unique architectural style of Bhutan's dzongs (fortresses).

Another notable Sonam in Bhutanese history was Sonam Lhundup (1919-2011), a prominent spiritual leader and the 69th Je Khenpo, or the head of Bhutan's monastic body. He played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Bhutanese culture and Buddhist traditions throughout his lifetime.

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 Sonam was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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