Find out how popular the first name Sovanna has been for the last 36 years (from 1986 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sovanna by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Sovanna is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 83% of people named Sovanna being female.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sovanna.

The history of the first name Sovanna

The name Sovanna has its origins in the Khmer language of Cambodia. Derived from the Sanskrit words "su" meaning "good" and "vanna" meaning "color" or "complexion", it is a name that was traditionally given to girls with a beautiful skin tone or complexion. The earliest known use of the name dates back to the 6th century AD, during the Khmer Empire's golden age.

In ancient Khmer literature and inscriptions, the name Sovanna is often mentioned in association with female characters of great beauty and grace. The famous Khmer epic poem "Preah Bat Preah Gou" from the 17th century features a protagonist named Sovanna who is described as possessing unparalleled loveliness and virtue.

One of the earliest recorded historical figures bearing the name Sovanna was a Khmer princess who lived in the 9th century AD during the reign of King Jayavarman III. She was renowned for her beauty and was married to a prince from a neighboring kingdom to solidify an alliance.

In the 13th century, a Khmer queen consort named Sovanna played a significant role in the political affairs of the Khmer Empire. She was the wife of King Jayavarman VIII and is credited with influencing several important decisions during her husband's reign.

Another notable figure was Sovanna Phum, a 16th-century Khmer woman celebrated for her bravery and leadership during a period of unrest. She led a group of villagers in defending their community against invaders, earning her a place in Khmer folklore.

In the 18th century, a renowned Khmer poet and musician named Sovanna Devi composed several works that are still studied and performed today. She was highly regarded for her mastery of traditional Khmer poetry and music.

In more recent times, Sovanna Phoung (1925-2021) was a prominent Cambodian politician and diplomat who served as the first female Secretary of State in Cambodia's history, as well as holding various other high-ranking positions in the government.

While the name Sovanna is deeply rooted in Cambodian culture and history, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among individuals of Cambodian descent living abroad.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!