Sonam

♂ Boy

Pronounced SOH-nahm /ˈsoʊ.nɑm/Medium

Meaning: From the Tibetan word for 'merit' — the spiritual good gathered through virtuous action in Buddhist thought, and by extension good fortune. Used for both boys and girls in Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal; it is also a well-known girls' name in India.Medium

In 30 seconds: A Tibetan Buddhist name: Sonam means 'merit; good fortune' (said 'SOH-nahm'). Used for both boys and girls.

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Origin MediumTibetan

MeaningFrom the Tibetan word for 'merit' — the spiritual good gathered through virtuous action in Buddhist thought, and by extension good fortune. Used for both boys and girls in Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal; it is also a well-known girls' name in India.

U.S. rank (2024)#13911 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 118

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Sonam is the Tibetan word for merit — in Buddhist thought, the spiritual good accumulated through virtuous deeds, which ripens into good fortune. It is a common given name across Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal for both boys and girls, and is also familiar in India as a girls' name. We note the Buddhist root respectfully. Calm, auspicious, and Himalayan (said 'SOH-nahm').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely. Rare, Buddhist-rooted, and serene.

Did you know? In Tibetan Buddhism, merit is the good gathered through virtuous action — and Sonam is simply that word, given as a name. We note the Buddhist root respectfully (said 'SOH-nahm').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Sonam — Tibetan 'merit'; Buddhist concept; unisex use

Variations

SonumBsod-nams

Nicknames

SonSonu

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sonam mean?

Sonam is Tibetan for 'merit' — the spiritual good gathered through virtuous action in Buddhist thought — and so also 'good fortune'.

How do you pronounce Sonam?

It's said SOH-nahm /ˈsoʊ.nɑm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sonam a boy or girl name?

Sonam is used here as a boy's name; in the Himalayas it is given to both boys and girls, and in India it is chiefly a girls' name.

How popular is Sonam?

Sonam is a rare name for boys in the U.S.