Holding steady, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Sonoma since 1979
Babies named Sonoma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sonoma's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 17 |
| 2000s | 91 |
| 2010s | 96 |
| 2020s | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Sonoma is a modern, place-inspired name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1979. Over the decades, it has remained rare; as of 2025, it ranked 13,208th and was given to roughly 1 in 267,878 baby girls. Its peak year came fairly recently, in 2023, suggesting a modest uptick in interest but still far from common. The name has never been concentrated in any single state, reflecting its scattered, low-frequency use nationwide. Sonoma fits alongside other geographical choices like Sierra and Savannah, appealing to parents drawn to the natural beauty and laid-back lifestyle associated with California's wine country.
Sonoma is a place name taken from Sonoma County and Sonoma Valley in California. The origin of the name is disputed; it may come from a Wappo or Miwok word meaning 'nose' (referring to a geographic feature) or a translation of 'many moons'. It was first used as a given name in the late 20th century, likely inspired by the scenic wine region.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sona, Noma
Sibling names for Sonoma
Names that share Sonoma's style, for a brother or sister.
