Sofia is a popular girls' name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "sophia," which means "wisdom." Throughout history, Sofia has been associated with intelligence and insight.
The name Sofia gained popularity in the Byzantine Empire, where it was used as a royal name. One of the most notable figures to bear this name was Saint Sophia, who was martyred for her faith during the reign of Emperor Licinius in the 4th century AD. Her story has contributed to the enduring appeal of the name Sofia.
In literature, Sofia has been used as a character name by several authors, including Leo Tolstoy in his novel "War and Peace" and Gabriel García Márquez in his novel "Love in the Time of Cholera." These appearances have helped to further popularize the name Sofia.
Today, Sofia is a widely recognized and beloved girls' name around the world. It has consistently ranked among the top 100 most popular names for girls in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European nations. Its timeless elegance and positive connotations continue to make it an attractive choice for parents naming their daughters.
The name Sofia has been consistently popular among parents in the United States over the past century and a half. Between 1881 and 1897, the number of babies named Sofia ranged between just 5 and 21 per year. However, beginning in 1909, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of this name.
From 1909 to 1934, the annual births for girls named Sofia hovered between 32 and 78, with the exception of a peak in 1930 at 78 births. This trend continued through the 1950s, with numbers ranging from 38 to 67 births per year.
Starting in the late 1960s, there was another significant uptick in the popularity of the name Sofia. From 1969 to 1980, the number of girls named Sofia increased dramatically, from 129 to 267 births annually. This upward trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with the figure reaching over 450 births per year by 1991.
The peak popularity of the name Sofia in the United States occurred between 1997 and 2013, during which time more than 6,000 girls were named Sofia each year. This period also marked a significant increase in the total number of births per year overall. Between 2005 and 2015, for instance, the annual birth rate for girls named Sofia ranged from approximately 5,000 to nearly 10,000.
Since 2016, there has been a slight decline in the popularity of the name Sofia, with the number of births dropping below 9,000 annually. However, even today, hundreds of babies are still named Sofia each year in the United States, indicating that this moniker remains favored by many parents.