Sonaya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Sonaya has been for the last 21 years (from 2003 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Sonaya

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Sanskrit meaning "golden" or "radiant".

Popularity of Sonaya by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Sonaya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sonaya.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 6
2020 0 8
2016 0 5
2015 0 6
2011 0 5
2008 0 5
2006 0 5
2004 0 6
2003 0 8

The history of the first name Sonaya

The name Sonaya is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest and most ancient languages in the world, dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Sona," which means "gold" or "golden," and the suffix "ya," which is often used to form feminine names.

In Hindu mythology, Sona was the name of a goddess associated with wealth, prosperity, and fertility. The name Sonaya, therefore, may have been given to girls in the hopes that they would be blessed with these qualities and lead a prosperous life.

The earliest recorded use of the name Sonaya can be traced back to ancient Indian texts and inscriptions from the 1st century BCE. It was a popular name among the Hindu community and was often used to name daughters of wealthy and influential families.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Sonaya was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 5th century CE. Her works, which included poetry and commentaries on ancient Hindu texts, were highly regarded and contributed significantly to the preservation of Sanskrit literature.

Another notable figure was Sonaya, a princess from the Rajput dynasty of Mewar in the 16th century. She was known for her courage and leadership skills, as she played a crucial role in defending her kingdom against the Mughal Empire during a time of conflict.

In the 18th century, Sonaya was the name of a prominent Indian dancer and courtesan who was celebrated for her beauty and artistic talents. She was a patron of the arts and contributed to the development of classical Indian dance forms.

During the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century, Sonaya was the name of a freedom fighter and activist who fought against British colonial rule. She was involved in various non-violent protests and campaigns, and her efforts helped inspire others to join the struggle for independence.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals with the name Sonaya was Sonaya Nath, a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer who lived from 1929 to 2020. She was widely acclaimed for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian dance forms and received numerous awards and honors for her work.

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

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

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"Sonaya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sonaya-meaning-and-history/.

"Sonaya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sonaya-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Sonaya first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/sonaya-meaning-and-history/.

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