Sofia

♀ Girl

Pronounced so-FEE-uh /soʊˈfiː.ə/High

Meaning: WisdomHigh

In 30 seconds: The Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese spelling of Sophia, meaning 'wisdom' in Greek. Sofia is the preferred international variant and ranks in the global top five girls' names.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningWisdom

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 126,222

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Sofia is a variant spelling of Sophia, derived from the Ancient Greek sophia (σοφία) meaning 'wisdom.' It is the standard spelling in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Bulgarian, and many other European languages, giving it a distinctly international character.

Sofia has been popular across the Latin and Slavic worlds for centuries. In the United States it entered as a distinct name from Sophia in the early 2000s, driven by Spanish-speaking communities and the general global popularity of the name. It consistently ranks in the top five U.S. girls' names alongside Sophia.

Did you know? Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria, named not for the abstract virtue but for the 6th-century Hagia Sophia church built there, meaning 'Holy Wisdom' in Greek.

Variations

SophiaSophieSofíaSofiZofia

Nicknames

SofiFiaSophie

Famous Bearers

★Sofia Vergara (1972–)
Colombian-American actress, known for Modern Family.
★Sofia Coppola (1971–)
American film director, Academy Award winner for Lost in Translation.

If you like Sofia…

Sophia— same name, different spelling convention

Valentina— equally popular Latinate girls' name with -a ending

Isabella— shares the Spanish/Italian-influenced romantic quality

Amelia— another top-five classic with a lyrical -ia ending

Elena— shares the Latinate heritage and modern global appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sofia mean?

Sofia is an alternate spelling of Sophia, from the Greek word sophia meaning 'wisdom' — one of the most meaningful virtue names in existence.

How do you pronounce Sofia?

Sofia is pronounced so-FEE-uh /soʊˈfiː.ə/ — three syllables, with stress on the second.

Is Sofia a boy or girl name?

Sofia is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Sofia?

Sofia consistently ranks alongside Sophia in the U.S. top five girls' names, and is the #1 or #2 girls' name in many Spanish- and Italian-speaking countries.