Soo
Primarily a girl's name of Korean origin with 193 recorded births. Also given to 18 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Abbreviation of Sault Ste. Marie.
Soo is a girl's and boy's baby name of Korean origin meaning 'excellence' or 'outstanding,' often written as 수 in Hangul. It appears frequently as a component of longer Korean given names such as Soo-Jin or Soo-Yeon.
As a standalone given name in the U.S., Soo is a streamlined, modern choice that carries the linguistic elegance of East Asian naming traditions in a concise, easy-to-pronounce form.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Soo is rooted in the Korean tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1961 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Soo’s rarity (193 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Soo has 25+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1961.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17 | #16339 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 64 | #9773 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 59 | #8312 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 48 | #8276 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | #7402 | — |
The Story of Soo
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Soo is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Soo are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Soo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Soo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1961, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 64 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Soo by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1961–2004)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | #18446 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17605 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12965 |
| 1999 | 7 | #12519 |
| 1996 | 9 | #9483 |
| 1994 | 8 | #10416 |
| 1993 | 7 | #11641 |
| 1992 | 10 | #8666 |
| 1991 | 9 | #9255 |
| 1990 | 14 | #6429 |
| 1989 | 11 | #7392 |
| 1987 | 6 | #11116 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7478 |
| 1984 | 7 | #9014 |
| 1983 | 8 | #7936 |
| 1982 | 11 | #6307 |
| 1981 | 7 | #8943 |
| 1979 | 7 | #8884 |
| 1978 | 5 | #11230 |
| 1976 | 9 | #6526 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Soo as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Soo has also been given to 18 boys in the U.S. since 1981.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Soo most popular?
How popular is the name Soo?
Can Soo be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1961–2004