Sovanna
Primarily a girl's name of Khmer origin with 29 recorded births. Also given to 6 boys.
Meaning & Origin
At 7 letters and three syllables, Sovanna hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a girl's name in the U.S. since 1986, with 29 total recorded births.
Sovanna is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Sovanna is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Sovanna is a girl's and boy's baby name of Khmer origin meaning "gold." Rooted in the ancient Khmer language of Cambodia, the name reflects the cultural importance of gold as a symbol of prosperity, purity, and beauty. It's a name that carries warmth both in sound and in meaning.
While uncommon in the United States, Sovanna is a cherished name within Cambodian-American communities. Its melodic three-syllable rhythm — so-VAN-na — gives it a lyrical quality that translates beautifully across language backgrounds. Parents drawn to meaningful names with global roots will find Sovanna both distinctive and deeply connected to a rich cultural heritage.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Sovanna's final sounds are open, warm — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Sovanna follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Sovanna's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sovanna has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1986.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 12 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 6 | — |
| 1980s | 6 | — |
The Story of Sovanna
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2017, Sovanna is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Sovanna are most likely born between 2007 and 2021.
How rare is Sovanna?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sovanna is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1986, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 12 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 1986–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | #17377 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13929 |
| 2011 | 5 | #19218 |
| 2008 | 6 | #17227 |
| 1986 | 6 | #10724 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sovanna as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Sovanna has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 6 births since 1989.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sovanna a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sovanna most popular?
How popular is the name Sovanna?
Can Sovanna be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1986–2021