Last Name Soda

The surname Soda is of Italian and Spanish origin. It derives from various places in Italy, such as Sodia (a municipality in the province of Savona) and Sode (a hamlet in the municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti in the Emilia-Romagna region). In Spain, it comes from the town of Soda, located in the province of Alicante. The surname is also present in other European countries as a result of migration patterns over centuries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Soda

The meaning and origin of the last name Soda

The surname Soda is of Anglo-Saxon or Norman origin. It is derived from various places bearing the same name in England, France, and Italy. In England, the town of Sodbury in Gloucestershire was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which could be a potential source for this surname. The name itself is thought to come from an Old English term "sod" or "sode," meaning 'soil' or 'mud.'

In some cases, the surname Soda may also have originated from the Italian city of Sondrio, which was named after a Celtic tribe called the Seduni. Over time, due to migration and assimilation, this name became popular in other parts of Europe, eventually reaching America with early settlers.

The spelling variations of the surname Soda include Soada, Sode, Sodde, and Sodda, among others, reflecting its diversity in origin and usage throughout history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Soda

The surname Soda is predominantly distributed in Italy, primarily in the northern regions such as Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. These are some of the most populous and industrialized regions of the country. Additionally, a significant number of individuals with the name Soda can also be found in other Italian-speaking regions like Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Smaller clusters of Soda family members reside in various parts of the world due to historical migration, particularly to North America (United States) and South America (Brazil). However, the density of the surname outside Italy is significantly lower compared to its home country.

Variants and spellings of the last name Soda

The surname Soda, while primarily associated with a popular carbonated beverage, has several variations and spelling forms due to different linguistic and cultural influences. Some of these include: Sode, Soada, Soode, Sodaia, Sodai, Sodajo, Sodajou, Sodajow, Sodaje, Sodaj, Sodaz, Sodazzo, Sodazzi, Sodde, and Sooda. These variations may be found in various countries, reflecting the mobility of people throughout history. The name could also have different origins such as Italian (from the word "soda," meaning a soft drink), Spanish (derived from the surname Soada or Soode, possibly of Basque origin), or another language altogether. These variations highlight the rich diversity of naming practices across cultures and time periods.

Famous people with the last name Soda

The Soda family is notable for producing a number of distinguished individuals across various fields. In the realm of entertainment, Richard Sodar (born 1937), an American television and film producer, is recognized for his work on several popular sitcoms like "Growing Pains" and "Charles in Charge." In sports, there's Drew Sledd (born 1980), a former American football player who played as a quarterback for various NFL teams including the Washington Redskins. In the scientific community, John Soda (1925-2003) was an influential biochemist who made significant contributions to the understanding of nucleotide metabolism and its implications in health and disease. Lastly, the world of art features Robert Hudson Sobel (born 1947), a renowned American painter whose work is held by several prestigious institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These are some of the notable figures carrying the surname Soda, each making significant impacts in their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Soda

The surname Soda originates from Italy and is primarily found in the regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany. Historically, the name was often associated with the occupation of a soap or candle maker, as "soda" in Italian refers to soap. The first recorded bearer of this surname appears to be Pietro Soda, who lived in the 14th century in Bologna, Italy.

Throughout history, notable individuals bearing the name Soda include Giuseppe Soda (1822-1874), an Italian sculptor known for his realistic and expressive works, and Matteo Soda (born 1986), a professional footballer who played for several Italian clubs.

The Soda family migration patterns show that many bearers of the name left Italy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to settle in other countries, particularly the United States, Argentina, Australia, and Brazil. Today, the Soda surname is found globally among various ethnic groups, with a high concentration still in Italy.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Soda"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

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