Soleil Girl

Popularity: #601 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: so-LAY //səˈleɪ//

Origin: French; Latin

Meaning: French: sun; Latin: solar

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Soleil originates from the Old French word "soleil," which means "sun." This term can be traced back to the Latin word "sol," which also translates to "sun" and has roots in the Proto-Indo-European language, specifically the root "*sóh₂wl̥," denoting the sun. The transition from Latin to Old French occurred during the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many French words entered the English language.

The name Soleil, while primarily used in French-speaking cultures, has been adopted into English contexts, often evoking imagery of brightness and warmth associated with the sun. Historically, the sun has held significant cultural and religious importance across various civilizations.

In ancient Roman mythology, the sun was personified by the god Sol, while in other cultures, such as the Egyptians, the sun was revered as a deity, symbolizing life and creation. The name Soleil may have been used in literature and art to convey themes of light, hope, and vitality.

Notably, the sun is a recurring motif in various religious texts and mythologies, underscoring its universal significance. In terms of cultural resonance, the name Soleil carries connotations of brightness and positivity, often associated with joy and vitality.

It is sometimes used in poetic or artistic expressions to symbolize enlightenment or clarity. The name may also be linked to various diminutive forms or related names in different cultures, such as Sol or Sunny, which further emphasize the sun's warmth and light.

Overall, Soleil encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, reflecting humanity's enduring fascination with the sun as a source of life and inspiration.

Famous people named Soleil

In this section, you will find notable people named Soleil. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Soleil who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Soleil who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Soleil Moon Frye is an actress and director best known for Punky Brewster, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and The Cheetah Girls 2.

Soleil M. is a singer and songwriter best known for her work in the music industry and contributions to various albums.

Fictional characters named Soleil

The following list of fictional characters named Soleil is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Soleil is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. They are a skilled warrior and a member of the royal family, known for their bright personality and strong sense of justice.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Soleil, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Soleil. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Soleil was first seen in the United States in 1981.

Soleil has ranked as high as #1455 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Soleil has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Soleil is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Soleil was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Soleil.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 370 12 358
2024 343 9 334
2023 266 0 266
2022 274 6 268
2021 264 5 259
2020 197 5 192
2019 213 5 208
2018 158 0 158
2017 133 0 133
2016 137 0 137
2015 114 0 114
2014 153 0 153
2013 171 0 171
2012 179 0 179
2011 190 0 190
2010 195 0 195
2009 192 0 192
2008 203 0 203
2007 195 0 195
2006 154 0 154
2005 102 0 102
2004 119 0 119
2003 142 0 142
2002 128 0 128
2001 97 0 97
2000 90 0 90
1999 71 0 71
1998 32 0 32
1997 24 0 24
1996 24 0 24
1995 27 0 27
1994 16 0 16
1993 22 0 22
1992 16 0 16
1991 20 0 20
1990 21 0 21
1989 29 0 29
1988 12 0 12
1987 18 0 18
1986 19 0 19
1985 29 0 29
1984 6 0 6
1981 7 0 7

Top States for Soleil (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 74
26%
FL 39
14%
TX 30
10%
NY 22
8%
AZ 12
4%
NJ 12
4%
IL 11
4%
GA 10
3%
PA 10
3%
NC 9
3%
MA 8
3%
MD 8
3%
SC 6
2%
CO 6
2%
NV 6
2%
OH 5
2%
LA 5
2%
OR 5
2%
WA 5
2%
NM 5
2%