Sorrel Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SOR-el /ˈsɔːr.əl/
Origin: French; English
Meaning: French: a type of herb; English: reddish color
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sorrel has its roots in the Old French word "sorel," which means "reddish-brown" and is derived from the Latin "sorrelus," a diminutive form of "sorres," meaning "sorrel" or "sour." This term originally referred to the plant known for its tangy leaves, which were used in cooking and traditional medicine. The name entered the English language during the medieval period, reflecting the common practice of naming children after plants or colors, which was prevalent in various cultures.
The association with the color reddish-brown likely contributed to its adoption as a given name, particularly for girls, as colors often held significant meaning in naming conventions. Historically, the name Sorrel has been used in various literary contexts, notably in the works of authors such as William Shakespeare, who employed nature-related names to evoke imagery and character traits.
The name's presence in literature during the Renaissance period helped solidify its place in English culture. Additionally, the use of Sorrel as a name can be traced back to the 17th century, when it began appearing in records and literature, marking its gradual acceptance as a personal name rather than merely a descriptor.
Culturally, Sorrel has been associated with themes of nature and vitality, reflecting the characteristics of the plant itself. In some traditions, names derived from flora are believed to embody certain qualities, such as resilience and nourishment.
The name Sorrel may also evoke a sense of connection to the earth and the changing seasons, aligning with the broader human experience of growth and renewal. While diminutive forms like Sorrell or even variations in spelling exist, the core essence of the name remains tied to its natural origins and historical significance.
Famous people named Sorrel
In this section, you will find notable people named Sorrel. 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 Sorrel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sorrel 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.
Sorrel Brooke is an actor best known for The Dukes of Hazzard, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and The Devil's Rain.
Sorrel Johnson is a musician best known for his work with the band The Sorrel Brothers.
Fictional characters named Sorrel
The following list of fictional characters named Sorrel 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.
Sorrel is a fictional character from the novel series The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. She is a loyal companion and a skilled warrior who aids the protagonist in his quest.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sorrel, 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 Sorrel. 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 Sorrel was first seen in the United States in 1973.
Sorrel has ranked as high as #1367 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Sorrel has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sorrel 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 Sorrel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Sorrel
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Sorrel.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |