UK boy's name
Sohum
An Indian masculine given name meaning "that which is sacred".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sohum is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Sohum popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 4 births.
This profile covers 21 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2009 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 21 living people in the UK are called Sohum. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sohum ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 4 boys were registered as Sohum.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sohum as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2010
4 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Sohum mean?
The name Sohum has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language from the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "soham," which means "I am that" or "I am the ultimate reality." This phrase is considered a powerful mantra in Hindu philosophy and is often used in meditation practices.
The earliest known reference to the name Sohum can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures, particularly the Upanishads. These philosophical texts, which date back to around the 8th century BCE, contain discussions on the nature of the self and the ultimate reality. The mantra "soham" is mentioned in several Upanishads as a tool for self-realization and spiritual enlightenment.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sohum was a Hindu sage named Sohum Swami, who lived in the 16th century CE. He was a renowned spiritual teacher and a proponent of the Nath tradition, which focuses on the practice of yoga and meditation. Sohum Swami is believed to have written several texts on meditation and spiritual practices, although many of his works have been lost over time.
Another notable figure with the name Sohum was Sohum Shah, a 17th-century poet and composer from the Indian state of Gujarat. He is renowned for his contributions to the literary and musical traditions of the region, particularly in the genre of devotional poetry known as "bhajan." Sohum Shah's compositions are still widely performed and appreciated in Gujarat and other parts of India.
In the 19th century, a Hindu spiritual leader named Sohum Baba gained prominence in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. He was known for his teachings on the importance of self-realization and inner peace. Sohum Baba founded an ashram (spiritual retreat) in the city of Varanasi, which became a hub for seekers of spiritual knowledge.
Another notable figure with the name Sohum was Sohum Anant Sarkar, a 20th-century Indian mystic and philosopher. He was born in 1890 and dedicated his life to the study of Hindu scriptures and spiritual practices. Sohum Anant Sarkar authored several books on topics such as meditation, Vedanta philosophy, and the concept of "soham."
While the name Sohum has its roots in the Hindu tradition, it has also been embraced by individuals from various spiritual and philosophical backgrounds. The name's association with the concept of self-realization and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge has made it a popular choice for those seeking a name with profound meaning and symbolism.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sohum over time
The chart below shows babies named Sohum registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sohum, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sohum by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sohum was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4543 | 10 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3848 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Sohum
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Sohum: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sohum in the UK right now?
In 2023, Sohum was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sohum most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 4 babies registered as Sohum in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sohum?
An Indian masculine given name meaning "that which is sacred".
How many people are called Sohum in the UK?
A total of 21 babies have been registered as Sohum across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.