Declining since 2011, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Sorcha since 1989
Babies named Sorcha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 60 |
| 2000s | 93 |
| 2010s | 77 |
| 2020s | 30 |
Meaning & origin
Sorcha is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic name meaning 'bright' or 'radiant,' with roots in the Old Irish word 'sorchae.' First recorded in U.S. data in 1989, it peaked in popularity in 2010 but has since declined, with a 1-in-229,610 birth rate in 2025. It is almost exclusively used for girls and remains rare in the United States, where it is sometimes anglicized as Sarah or Sally. The name has seen some recent use outside of Ireland, particularly among families with Irish heritage seeking a distinctive choice. Its soft sound and luminous meaning make it a gentle yet uncommon option.
Sorcha is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic word for 'bright' or 'radiant,' derived from the Old Irish 'sorchae' (meaning 'light, brightness'). It has been used as a given name in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, often anglicized as Sarah or Sally. The name experienced a revival in Ireland during the 20th century and has gained some usage in English-speaking countries outside of Ireland.
“Sorcha” around the world
Where Sorcha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
15
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sor, Sorsha, Solly
Variants: Sorsha, Sorche
Sibling names for Sorcha
Names that share Sorcha's style, for a brother or sister.
