Find out how popular the first name Sopheak has been for the last 5 years (from 1985 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A masculine name of Khmer origin meaning "excellent" or "sublime".
Based on the last 5 years of data, Sopheak is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 1989, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Sopheak.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
1989 | 9 | 0 |
1988 | 7 | 0 |
1986 | 9 | 0 |
1985 | 13 | 0 |
The name Sopheak originates from the Khmer language spoken in Cambodia. It dates back to the ancient Khmer empire that ruled over parts of Southeast Asia from the 9th to 15th centuries. Sopheak is derived from the Old Khmer word "sopheap," which means "beautiful" or "graceful."
The earliest known references to the name Sopheak can be found in ancient Cambodian stone inscriptions and palm-leaf manuscripts from the Angkor period. These inscriptions often recorded the names of noble families, royalty, and Buddhist monks who played significant roles in the empire's history.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sopheak was a Buddhist monk who lived during the 12th century reign of King Jayavarman VII. This monk was known for his skill in sculpting and is believed to have contributed to the intricate carvings adorning the temples of Angkor Wat and Bayon.
In the 16th century, a woman named Sopheak was a celebrated poet and scholar at the court of King Ang Chan. Her poetry, which celebrated the beauty of nature and the virtues of Buddhist teachings, was widely acclaimed and influenced the literary traditions of the time.
During the 19th century, Sopheak became a popular name among Cambodian royalty. One notable figure was Princess Sopheak, the daughter of King Norodom I, who played a significant role in promoting education and social reforms in the kingdom.
Another prominent individual with the name Sopheak was Sopheak Virachak, a celebrated Cambodian singer and actress who lived from 1920 to 1988. She was renowned for her contributions to the traditional Khmer arts and her performances in numerous plays and films.
In the 20th century, Sopheak Ngov (1946-2019) was a Cambodian-American writer and human rights activist. She wrote extensively about her experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the Cambodian genocide.
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 Sopheak was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Sopheak first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 7, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sopheak-meaning-and-history/.
"Sopheak first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sopheak-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 7 July, 2025
Sopheak first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/sopheak-meaning-and-history/.
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