Soma is a Hungarian masculine given name derived from the Hungarian word som, meaning "dogwood" or "cornel tree" (a type of tree or shrub in the genus Cornus). This name belongs to a category of Hungarian names taken from the natural world, reflecting a tradition of honoring the flora of the Carpathian Basin.
The dogwood tree holds cultural and practical significance in Hungary; its wood was traditionally used for making tools, and its fruits are known in folk medicine. The name Soma may be inspired by this connection to nature and traditional Hungarian rural life.
Among notable bearers, Soma is the given name of Soma Zsámboki, a 16th-century Hungarian humanist scholar known for his work in medicine and astrology. The name appears modestly in modern Hungarian registers, often as a relatively short and melodious option.
- Meaning: Dogwood, cornel tree
- Origin: Hungarian
- Can also refer to: The Hindu god Soma, or the ritual drink