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Sofiya

♀ Girl

Pronounced soh-FEE-yuh /soʊˈfiː.jə/High

Meaning: wisdom, skill, knowledgeHigh

In 30 seconds: Sofiya is the Slavic and Arabic form of Sophia meaning wisdom. One of history's most beloved names, it is the name of an early Christian martyr and a magnificent Byzantine cathedral.
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Origin HighGreek, Slavic
Meaningwisdom, skill, knowledge
U.S. rank (2024)#2317 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births80 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,144

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419942024

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

History & Origin

Sofiya is the Slavic/Bulgarian/Arabic transliteration of the Greek Sophia, meaning wisdom. It was borne by Saint Sophia of Rome, a 2nd-century Christian martyr, and became the name of Bulgaria's capital.

Sofiya is widely used in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, and Arab countries. In English-speaking countries the Sofiya spelling reflects Slavic or Arabic heritage.

Did you know? The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in Istanbul, built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, was the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years — making the name Sofiya/Sophia one eternally associated with architectural grandeur.
Overall data confidence 95%
Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon — reference for SofiyaBehind the Name: Sophia — name etymology referenceOxford Dictionary of First Names — reference for Sofiya

Variations

SophiaSofiaSophieSophy

Nicknames

SofiSoph

Famous Bearers

  • ★Sofia Gubaidulina (1931–2025)
    Soviet and Russian composer of modernist sacred music, regarded as one of the foremost composers from the former Soviet Union.

If you like Sofiya…

Sophia— standard English spelling of same name
Sofia— most common international spelling
Sophie— French diminutive form
Zofia— Polish form of same name
Sonya— Russian diminutive of Sofia

Frequently Asked

What does Sofiya mean?

Sofiya means wisdom, skill, and knowledge, from the Greek sophia (σοφία).

How do you pronounce Sofiya?

Sofiya is pronounced soh-FEE-yuh (/soʊˈfiː.jə/), with three syllables.

Is Sofiya a girl's name?

Yes, Sofiya is an exclusively feminine name.

How popular is the name Sofiya?

Sofiya is very popular in Slavic countries and the Arab world, and used in diaspora communities internationally.