Meaning and Etymology
The Sanskrit mantra so'ham (सोऽहम्) translates literally as “That (is) I” or “I am that,” expressing the identification of the individual self with the universal reality [3][5]. Naming‑site submissions describe the meaning as “I am He, that is, I am God” [4]. All sources agree that the core sense is a declaration of unity with the divine.
Origin and Language Usage
The name derives from Sanskrit, the ancient liturgical language of India [1][3]. It is transliterated into Hindi (सोहम) and Bengali (সোহম) and is used as a male given name in those languages [1][2]. The name also appears in Sanskrit texts and is occasionally used by speakers of other Indian languages.
Pronunciation
In English‑language contexts the name is commonly rendered as “SOH‑hum” with stress on the first syllable, IPA /ˈsoʊ.hʌm/ [6]. A British English pronunciation for the English place‑name “Soham” is given as /ˈsəʊ.əm/, but the personal‑name pronunciation follows the former guide.
Spellings and Variants
- Soham – standard Roman spelling.
- Sohum – an alternative spelling found in some sources [3][6].
- So'ham – the original Sanskrit sandhi form.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Soham mean?
It means “I am that” or “I am He,” a declaration of unity with the universal reality [3][5].
How is Soham pronounced?
In English it is pronounced “SOH‑hum,” IPA /ˈsoʊ.hʌm/ [6].
Is Soham a male or female name?
Soham is documented as a male (boy) given name in Sanskrit and modern Indian usage [1][2].
Related terms
References
Follow the sources to explore the evidence and context behind this article.
- Soham - Wiktionary, the free dictionary; https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Soham
- सोहम - Wiktionary, the free dictionary; https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/
- Soham (Sanskrit); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soham_(Sanskrit)
- User-submitted name Soham - Behind the Name; https://www.behindthename.com/name/soham/submitted
- Meaning of the name Soham; https://www.wisdomlib.org/names/soham
- How to Pronounce Soham + Meaning & Origin | More4Kids; https://www.more4kids.info/baby-names/soham/