The etymology of the name Sohawa has not been proven, but according to folk etymology the original name was Soo Awa which means "100 fences of potters". Sohawa was originally a small village near to Khoraka, after several years of human settlement in these two villages, the original village of Soahwa and Khoraka merged with each other and the present town of Sohawa was formed that contained market of all types. The original village is part of the main town(khoraka) and called "Ward #1" or Purana Sohawa (literally "old Sohawa")

Jhelum District consists of four Tehsils, namely Jhelum, Pind Dadan Khan, Dina and Sohawa. Tehsil Sohawa was established in year 1985. Sohawa is an administrative sub-division (tehsil) of Jhelum District, situated in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Sohawa Tehsil is situated on both sides of G.T. Road surrounded by Tehsil Dina, Tehsil Chakwal, Tehsil Gujar Khan and State of Azaad Jammu & Kashmir. It is located in north-western part of the district. One sign of Sohawa is the toll plaza by the name of 'Tarakki' on the Grand Trunk Road. The main bazaar of Sohawa attracts people from nearby villages. Sohawa tehsil has an area of 1.3 km² .