Soul

♂ Boy

Pronounced SOLE /soʊl/High

Meaning: The soul; spirit; essential being; from Old English sawol (soul, spirit, the animating principle of life)High

In 30 seconds: An English spiritual concept name meaning 'the immortal animating spirit.' Among the boldest one-syllable concept names, Soul names a child for the deepest part of their being.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningThe soul; spirit; essential being; from Old English sawol (soul, spirit, the animating principle of life)

U.S. rank (2024)#2329 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births61 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 402

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

Soul is an Old English word name from sawol (soul, spirit), the immortal animating essence of a person. In Christian theology, the soul is the seat of personality, consciousness, and moral character. As a given name it is a modern American spiritual concept name.

Soul has appeared in U.S. birth records as parents seek deeply meaningful one-word names. Its 2024 ranking of #2329 for boys reflects modest but sincere use in communities valuing spiritual naming.

Did you know? Old English sawol (soul) shares its Proto-Germanic root with German Seele and Dutch ziel — all meaning the animating spiritual essence of a person. The same root may connect to the sea, suggesting ancient beliefs that souls dwell near water.

Overall data confidence 96%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Sol

Nicknames

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Soul mean?

Soul means 'the immortal animating spirit,' from Old English sawol (soul, spirit — the essential animating principle of a person).

How do you pronounce Soul?

It's said SOLE /soʊl/ — one syllable, rhyming with 'role.'

Is Soul a boy or girl name?

Soul appears in boys' data in 2024.

How popular is Soul?

Soul ranked #2329 for U.S. boys in 2024.