Somaly is a unique and captivating female given name that hails from the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia. It is of Khmer origin, which is the official language of Cambodia and is spoken by approximately 90% of the population.
The name Somaly is composed of two elements: "soma" meaning moon and "lai" meaning light or radiance. Therefore, Somaly translates to "moonlight". This beautiful and poetic meaning adds to the enchantment of this distinctive name.
The history of the name Somaly dates back to ancient Khmer times when it was a popular name for girls. It is believed that the name gained popularity during the reign of the Khmer Empire (802–1431 AD), an era known for its remarkable art and architecture, such as the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.
Despite its long history, Somaly remains relatively uncommon outside of Cambodia, making it a unique choice for parents looking to give their daughter a name that is both meaningful and distinctive. It also has a lovely sound when pronounced /sō-ˈmä-lē/.
The name Somaly has been a rare but steady presence in the United States since the early 1980s. According to annual birth statistics from the Social Security Administration, there were six babies named Somaly born each year in both 1983 and 1984. This number increased to thirteen in 1986 and remained relatively stable over the next few years, with ten births in 1988, nine in 1989, five in 1990, seven in 1991, eight in 1992, six in 1993, and five in 1994.
Over this seventeen-year period from 1983 to 1994, a total of seventy-five babies were named Somaly in the United States. While this is not a common name by any means, it has maintained a consistent presence among newborns during these years. It's always interesting to observe how certain names evolve and fluctuate in popularity over time.