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Sophie

♀ Girl

Pronounced SOH-fee /ˈsoʊfi/High

Meaning: Wisdom; from Greek sophiaHigh

In 30 seconds: A beloved Greek name meaning 'wisdom,' the French and English diminutive of Sophia. Sophie has been in the U.S. top 100 girls' names for decades, cherished for its warmth.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningWisdom; from Greek sophia
Peak year2011
Total births (all-time)≈ 111,017

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201118802017

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

History & Origin

Sophie is the French and informal English form of Sophia, from the Greek sophia, meaning wisdom. Sophia was highly regarded in early Christianity as a divine attribute — Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) was one of the aspects of God. Saint Sophia was an early Christian martyr, and the name carried deep philosophical and religious resonance through the Byzantine world.

Sophie has been common in France, Germany, and Britain for centuries, often as a familiar form of Sophia. In the U.S. it became a standalone given name in its own right, popular throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It offers the same beloved meaning as Sophia with a slightly softer, more intimate feel.

Did you know? Hagia Sophia — 'Holy Wisdom' — is the great Byzantine church in Istanbul, built in 537 AD, one of the most famous buildings in the world and a monument to the name's philosophical depth.

Variations

SophiaSofiaSofie

Nicknames

Soph

Famous Bearers

  • ★Sophie Turner (1996–)
    British actress known for playing Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.

If you like Sophie…

Sophia— the formal version of the same name — essentially the same but more stately
Olivia— top-ranked classic girls' name with the same timeless European appeal
Eleanor— long classic that shares Sophie's literary and historical charm
Claire— short, bright classic girls' name with the same refined simplicity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Sophie mean?

Sophie is a Greek name meaning 'wisdom,' derived from sophia — the same root as Sophia and philosophy.

How do you pronounce Sophie?

It's said SOH-fee /ˈsoʊfi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sophie a boy or girl name?

Sophie is used exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Sophie?

Sophie has ranked in the U.S. top 100 girls' names for decades, a perennial favorite.