Sophia Name Meaning

Updated on November 29, 2022

Fact checked by Rich Scherr

Baby girl in pink dress looking up — Westend61 / Getty Images

What Does Sophia Mean?

The name Sophia, which exudes sophistication and beauty, is a classic Greek name meaning "wisdom." The name was put on the map by St. Sophia, celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church, and was popularized by European royalty during the Middle Ages. Sophia is a favorite among parents for its modern elegance and timeless appeal.

Origin: Sophia is a Greek name meaning "wisdom."

Gender: Sophia is commonly used for girls, whereas the masculine variant Sophus is used for boys.

Pronunciation: so-fee-uh

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Sophia?

To say Sophia is a popular name is probably an understatement. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 U.S. names since 2006. Sophia enjoyed a three-year run as the No. 1 name in the United States from 2011 to 2013, with the latter being its most popular year. Since then, it has remained a top-five name.

Interestingly, the name Sophia is pretty scarce among members of Hollywood. Typically, a name's sudden fame is attributed partly to celebrities and other influential figures, but that doesn't seem to be the case with Sophia. The reason for its popularity is likely a result of vintage names making a comeback, and Sophia is a classic option without sounding too old-fashioned.

Name Variations

Variations of the name Sophia include:

Sofi (Greek)
Sofia (Greek)
Sofie (Greek)
Sophie (Greek, French)
Sophronia (Greek)
Sophy (Greek)

Similar Names

Other popular names for those who like Sophia:

Anna
Alexandra
Aria
Ava
Charlotte
Chloe
Ella
Emma
Grace
Harper
Isabella
Mia
Olivia

Other Greek names for baby girls:

Anastasia
Angelina
Ariana
Calista
Daphne
Georgia
Ida
Iris
Nicole
Ophelia
Rhea
Thalia
Zoe

Common Nicknames

The most common nicknames for Sophia include:

Soph: A fun nickname for a fun personality. Soph suggests someone friendly and easy-going who brightens any room they walk into.
Fifi: Spunky, outgoing, and full of life.
Sophie: Suggests someone intelligent, independent, and artistic.
Phia: Wise and knowledgeable with a deep love of learning.

Suggested Sibling Names

Need a sibling name for Sophia? Some popular options include:

Abigail
Amelia
Emma
Ethan
Hannah
Noah
Samuel
Sarah

Famous People Named Sophia

There may only be a handful of famous Sophias, but they're worth noting:

Sofia Coppola, American screenwriter and Academy Award winner for writing "Lost in Translation"
Sofia Vergara, Columbian actress best known for her role in the TV comedy "Modern Family"
Sophia Bush, American actress known for her role in the TV drama "One Tree Hill"
Sophia Loren, Italian actress named by the American Film Institute as the 21st greatest female star of Classic Hollywood Cinema

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:

1 Source

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Social Security Administration. Popularity of the Name Sophia.

By Alex Vance
Alex Vance is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to health and wellness. She is a former news and features writer for Moms.com and Blog Writer for The HOTH. Her motherhood-related pieces have been published on Scary Mommy, Motherhood Understood, and Thought Catalog.

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