I know that New York’s Soho stands for South of Houston (a street in Manhattan). Is the origin of the name of London’s Soho section similar? Is it in anyway related to the naming of New York’s Soho? Which predates which?
London is centuries older. It appears to have gotten its name from a hunting cry – the area was a royal park and used for hunting.
There is no connection between the names, though I’m sure those in NYC realized it and used Soho instead of Sohow (since “Houston” is prounounced “Howston”).
Brewer gives 1636 as the first use of Soho (London) as a place name.
He also records, as RealityChuck says, that the name (apparently) derives from the old hunting cry when Soho fields were used for hunting. This cry is used by huntsmen, especially in hare-coursing when a hare has been started. The call dates from at least the 13th century and corresponds to the Tally-Ho! of foxhunters when the fox breaks cover.
As an aside, Soho was the password used by Monmouth’s forces in their night attack at Sedgemoor in 1685.