Sojourner
A girl's name of Old French origin with 179 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A unisex given name from English.
Sojourner is a girl's baby name of English origin, from the word sojourn — meaning 'a temporary stay' or 'traveler' — derived from the Old French sojourner, ultimately from the Latin sub (under) and diurnare (to spend the day). Sojourner Truth, the abolitionist and women's rights activist born into slavery, chose this name as a statement of her ministry: she would travel as a sojourner, speaking truth.
Sojourner Truth's legacy has made this name a powerful statement about justice, movement, and purpose — a name that carries one of the most remarkable life stories in American history.
EtymologyShow more
Sojourner is cataloged under the Old French naming tradition. Names from the Old French tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Sojourner has been recorded as a girl's name since 1970, with 179 total births. Browse the Old French names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sojourner has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 47 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 37 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 36 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 37 | — |
The Story of Sojourner
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1973, Sojourner is a Gen X staple. Girls named Sojourner are most likely born between 1970 and 1983.
How rare is Sojourner?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sojourner is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 47 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Sojourner by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1970–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | #17368 |
| 2020 | 6 | #14872 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13615 |
| 2018 | 7 | #13625 |
| 2017 | 10 | #10596 |
| 2016 | 6 | #15992 |
| 2015 | 5 | #18760 |
| 2012 | 7 | #14785 |
| 2010 | 5 | #19463 |
| 2008 | 5 | #20076 |
| 2007 | 9 | #12544 |
| 2006 | 8 | #13461 |
| 2005 | 5 | #18808 |
| 2003 | 5 | #18038 |
| 2000 | 5 | #17262 |
| 1998 | 5 | #16269 |
| 1997 | 6 | #13489 |
| 1996 | 7 | #11645 |
| 1995 | 6 | #13176 |
| 1993 | 7 | #11638 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–2021