Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Sorrel

Sorrel

♀ Girl

Pronounced SOR-uhl /ˈsɔːr.əl/High

Meaning: Sorrel is the English word for a tart-leaved green herb, and separately for a reddish-brown horse colour — the latter from Old French sorel, 'reddish-brown'. It is given as a nature word-name, and reads plainly as what it says.Medium

In 30 seconds: A plant and a horse colour: Sorrel is an English word-name — the tart green herb, and a reddish-brown coat (said 'SOR-uhl').
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumEnglish, French
MeaningSorrel is the English word for a tart-leaved green herb, and separately for a reddish-brown horse colour — the latter from Old French sorel, 'reddish-brown'. It is given as a nature word-name, and reads plainly as what it says.
U.S. rank (2024)#14992 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 102

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319732024

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

Sorrel is an English word-name with two everyday senses. The herb — lemony, sharp, used in soups and sauces — has been eaten in Europe for centuries. The horse colour, a warm reddish-brown, comes from Old French sorel. As a given name it belongs with Clover, Juniper and Laurel: a nature word chosen for its plain beauty, and we state that plainly (said 'SOR-uhl').

It is very rare in the U.S., a little better known in Britain. Earthy, botanical, and unfussy.

Did you know? Sorrel is two things at once: a sharp-tasting herb used in soups, and the reddish-brown colour of a horse's coat, from the Old French sorel. Either way it is the English word, given as a name (said 'SOR-uhl').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Sorrel — English herb name; Old French sorel, 'reddish-brown'

Variations

SorrellSorelSorrelle

Nicknames

SorryRell

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sorrel…

Laurel— a like botanical word-name
Wren— another plain English nature name
Clover— a similar earthy, green choice
Juniper— shares the herbal, woodland feel

Explore names like Sorrel

By themeenglishword-namenaturebotanical
By meaningGift / BlessingEarth / Nature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sorrel mean?

Sorrel is the English word for a tart-leaved herb, and also for a reddish-brown horse colour, from Old French sorel.

How do you pronounce Sorrel?

It's said SOR-uhl /ˈsɔːr.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sorrel a boy or girl name?

Sorrel is used here for a girl; as a word-name it can read unisex.

How popular is Sorrel?

Sorrel is very rare in the U.S., a little better known in Britain.

💬 Ask Nia