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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sonam

Sonam

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Sonam

Pronounced SOH-num /ˈsoʊ.nʌm/Medium

Meaning: From the Tibetan sonam (bsod-nams), 'merit; good fortune; the fruit of virtuous deeds' — a Buddhist concept of accumulated good karma. Unisex in Tibetan use; here for a girl.Medium

In 30 seconds: A fortunate Tibetan name: Sonam means 'merit; good fortune' (said 'SOH-num'). Warm and meaningful — unisex, used here for a girl.
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Origin MediumTibetan
MeaningFrom the Tibetan sonam (bsod-nams), 'merit; good fortune; the fruit of virtuous deeds' — a Buddhist concept of accumulated good karma. Unisex in Tibetan use; here for a girl.
U.S. rank (2025)#9383 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1992
Total births (all-time)≈ 481
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199219862025

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 comes from the Tibetan for 'merit; good fortune,' the reward of virtuous deeds in Buddhist thought. It is unisex in Tibet; used here for a girl, which we note — rare in the U.S. (said 'SOH-num').

It appears rarely, mostly in Tibetan and Himalayan families. Rare, fortunate, and warm.

Did you know? Sonam is Tibetan for 'merit; good fortune; the fruit of virtuous deeds' — a Buddhist idea of good karma — unisex in Tibetan use and given here to a girl, which we note (said 'SOH-num').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Sonam — Tibetan 'merit; good fortune'; unisex

Variations

SonaamSonumSonamm

Nicknames

SonaNami

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sonam…

Tenzin— a like Tibetan unisex name
Pema— a like Tibetan Buddhist name
Tashi— a fellow Tibetan choice
Liam— a similarly popular pick
Agam— another unisex pick

Explore names like Sonam

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sonam mean?

Sonam is Tibetan for 'merit; good fortune; the fruit of virtuous deeds.'

How do you pronounce Sonam?

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

Is Sonam a boy or girl name?

Sonam is unisex in Tibetan use; used here for a girl, which we note.

How popular is Sonam?

Sonam is a rare name in the U.S.

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