Sonam is a unisex given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "golden" or "glow". It is often used as a feminine name and is particularly popular in the Indian subcontinent, Tibet, and among Buddhists worldwide. In Tibetan Buddhism, Sonam is considered an auspicious name, representing wisdom and enlightenment. The name has gained global recognition due to its association with prominent figures such as Sonam Wangchuk, the founder of the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, a renowned Indian actress.
The name Sonam experienced significant growth in popularity from 1989 to its peak in 1992 with 32 births, after which it fluctuated but remained relatively stable until around the year 2000 when it began a steady decline, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 7 births in 2020 and 9 in 2021.