Rising since 1988, #2,998 for girls today.
Popularity of Sonora since 1924
Babies named Sonora per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 13 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 12 |
| 1950s | 21 |
| 1960s | 65 |
| 1970s | 51 |
| 1980s | 37 |
| 1990s | 241 |
| 2000s | 248 |
| 2010s | 422 |
| 2020s | 329 |
Meaning & origin
Sonora is a rare but notable place-name, first recorded as a given name in the United States in 1924. After decades of limited use, it has been rising in popularity since the late 1980s, with a recent peak rank of 2,998 in 2025, when it was given to about 1 in every 29,223 girls. Its usage is particularly concentrated in Texas and California, reflecting the naming influence of the American Southwest. The name's lyrical quality and connection to the Mexican state of Sonora lend it a distinctive, geographic appeal that aligns with modern tastes for place-inspired names.
Sonora as a given name likely originates from the Mexican state of Sonora, the name of which may derive from the Ópata word sonotl, meaning 'round ear' or from Spanish señora (lady), or from señorio (seigneury). Less plausibly, it may be from a variant of the Spanish word sonora, feminine form of sonoro 'sonorous, sweet-sounding'. The name gained modern use in the United States, especially in the Southwest, as a place name adopted as a personal name.
Where Sonora is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sona, Nora
Sibling names for Sonora
Names that share Sonora's style, for a brother or sister.
