SOUNDEX()

All functions > STRING > SOUNDEX()

Returns a four-character Soundex code representing the phonetic sound of a string.

Signatures

Returns: Four-character Soundex code representing the phonetic sound

SOUNDEX(string: VARCHAR) → VARCHAR

Notes

• Used for fuzzy string matching based on pronunciation
• Words that sound similar have the same Soundex code
• Result is always a letter followed by three digits
• Useful for matching names despite spelling variations

Examples

SELECT
    -- Common surname
    f1 := SOUNDEX('Smith'),
    -- Similar sound to Smith
    f2 := SOUNDEX('Smythe'),
    -- Another surname
    f3 := SOUNDEX('Johnson'),
    -- Similar to Johnson
    f4 := SOUNDEX('Jonson'),
    -- Different pattern
    f5 := SOUNDEX('Williams'),
    -- First name example
    f6 := SOUNDEX('Robert')
;