Soul Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Soul' has its roots in Old English, specifically from the word 'sawol', which signifies the spiritual essence of a person. Throughout its evolution, it has retained its meaning related to spirit and life force. While lacking a specific biblical reference, its historical usage reflects a deep cultural significance. Common variants include Soule and Sol, and it continues to hold a prominent place in modern culture, especially in music and art.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Soul"
Pronunciation
/soʊl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Soul' derives from the Old English word 'sawol', which refers to the spiritual or immaterial part of a person, often associated with life and consciousness.
Meaning
spirit, essence, life force
Language Evolution
sawol (Old English), soul (Middle English), soul (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The term 'soul' has been used in English since the early medieval period, gaining popularity in literature and religious texts, particularly in the context of spirituality and morality.
Variants & Derivatives
Soule, Sole, Sol
Modern Popularity & Image
The concept of 'soul' remains popular, often associated with music, art, and personal identity, reflecting deep emotional and spiritual connections.
Famous People
Soulja Boy, Soul Asylum, Toni Morrison (notable for her exploration of soul in literature)
📊 Soul Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Soul Name Visualizations
✨ Soul Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 108 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 8 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Soul"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Soul"
"Soul" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10637th of 24088 | 75 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3907th of 23106 | 327 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 28314th of 35406 | 13 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5618th of 30306 | 271 |
Regional Popularity of "Soul" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
- |
54.40% 3711th/6822 |
56.56% 3550th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Soul" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
94.54% 4242nd/4487 |
60.92% 4156th/6822 |
66.14% 4151st/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Soul"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Soul" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Soul" in the United States
The name Soul is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Soul has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Soul' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10637th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3907th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 28314th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5618th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Soul' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.