Sou
A boy's name of Khmer origin with 113 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Sou is a boy's baby name of Khmer origin, a traditional Cambodian given name meaning 'prosperity, well-being.' It is used in Cambodia and among Khmer diaspora communities.
Sou is refreshingly minimal — a single syllable carrying a profoundly positive meaning. In Cambodian culture, names are carefully chosen to bring good fortune to the bearer. Sou carries that wish for prosperity and well-being in the most compact possible form.
EtymologyShow more
Sou is built from 3 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Khmer naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Sou creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sou has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 57 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 56 | — |
The Story of Sou
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Sou is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Sou are most likely born between 1981 and 1992.
How rare is Sou?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sou is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1981, peaked in the 1990s with 57 births that decade.
Sou by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(15 years, 1981–1997)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 7 | #7998 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8734 |
| 1994 | 10 | #5817 |
| 1993 | 9 | #6158 |
| 1992 | 7 | #7292 |
| 1991 | 9 | #5874 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5749 |
| 1989 | 8 | #6148 |
| 1988 | 5 | #8342 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6834 |
| 1986 | 6 | #6623 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5690 |
| 1983 | 7 | #5413 |
| 1982 | 11 | #3921 |
| 1981 | 6 | #6152 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sou a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sou most popular?
How popular is the name Sou?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1981–1997