Girl · 3rd of 30,306
Sophia
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
426,919
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2012
Peak Popularity Year
22,353
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sophia stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Sophia originates from the Greek word meaning 'wisdom'. It has evolved through various languages and forms, including Sofia and Sophie. The name is often associated with intelligence and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the early Christian era and remains widely used today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/səˈfiːə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Sophia comes from the Greek word 'sophia', which means 'wisdom'. The term has been used in various contexts, particularly in philosophy and religion, to denote a deep understanding or insight.
Meaning
wisdom
Language Evolution
Sophia (Greek), Sofia (Latinized form), Sophie (French form)
Historical Usage
Sophia became popular in the early Christian era, particularly due to its association with divine wisdom. It gained significant popularity during the Middle Ages and has remained a favored name across various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Sofia, Sophie, Sofía
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Sophia is viewed as a classic yet trendy name, often associated with intelligence and elegance. It ranks highly in many countries as one of the most popular girls' names.
Famous People
Sophia Loren (Italian actress), Sophia Bush (American actress), Sophia Amoruso (American businesswoman and author)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 22,353 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7201st of 7552 | 6 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 9331st of 10718 | 10 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7438th of 16616 | 69 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5383rd of 24088 | 235 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6091st of 23106 | 170 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 271st of 9107 | 10,351 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 664th of 9204 | 2,085 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 650th of 12526 | 4,095 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 427th of 19264 | 8,060 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 211th of 27321 | 21,310 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13th of 35406 | 197,471 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3rd of 30306 | 178,401 |