How to say it
so · FEE · uh
soʊˈfi.ə
Feminine
Sophia
Wisdom
What it means
Traditional English spelling of the Greek sophia, meaning wisdom. Same word as Sofia, same Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) tradition behind it.
The double-F Sophia passed through Latin and Germanic languages into English, while the single-F Sofia stayed closer to the Greek and Romance-language path. Both spellings live alongside each other in modern US use. Sophia held the US #1 girls' name from 2011 to 2013 and has stayed in the top five since. Sophia Loren and Sophia Coppola (who uses the single F) gave the name 20th and 21st century cultural anchors. The English Sophia tends to be slightly more common than Sofia in US Anglo communities; the Spanish-speaking world prefers Sofía. Common short forms: Sophie, Soph.
How to spell Sophia
The standard spelling is Sophia. Common variants include Sofia, Sophie, Sofie, Sofía, but Sophia is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #1 in 2011, currently #5 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Sophia is the more US-Anglo spelling; Sofia is more common in Spanish, Italian, and Scandinavian usage. Same meaning, same pronunciation.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Sophia Loren Italian actress, golden-age of European cinema
- Sophia of Hanover Electress whose line inherited the British throne in 1714
Spelling variants
- Sofia
- Sophie
- Sofie
- Sofía
Names with the same feeling
See Sophia from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Sophia mean?
- Traditional English spelling of the Greek sophia, meaning wisdom. Same word as Sofia, same Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) tradition behind it.
- What does Sophia mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Sophia means "Wisdom." The double-F Sophia passed through Latin and Germanic languages into English, while the single-F Sofia stayed closer to the Greek and Romance-language path. Both spellings live alongside each other in modern US use. Sophia held the US #1 girls' name from 2011 to 2013 and has stayed in the top five since. Sophia Loren and Sophia Coppola (who uses the single F) gave the name 20th and 21st century cultural anchors. The English Sophia tends to be slightly more common than Sofia in US Anglo communities; the Spanish-speaking world prefers Sofía. Common short forms: Sophie, Soph.
- How do you pronounce Sophia?
- Sophia is pronounced soʊˈfi.ə. Say it as so-FEE-uh, with the stress on the "fee" syllable.
- How do you spell Sophia?
- The standard spelling is Sophia. Common spelling variants include Sofia, Sophie, Sofie, Sofía.
- Is Sophia a boy or girl name?
- Sophia is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Sophia?
- Sophia ranked #5 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.