Sonja
Every Sonja since 1906 — 39,557 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sonja
Sonja is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,966 in 2025 with 37 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1906, 39,557 American babies have been named Sonja. Its peak came in 1967, when 1,343 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Sonja stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sonja year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37 | #3,966 | — | — |
| 2024 | 56 | #2,975 | — | — |
| 2023 | 65 | #2,698 | — | — |
| 2022 | 40 | #3,822 | — | — |
| 2021 | 68 | #2,582 | — | — |
| 2020 | 76 | #2,337 | — | — |
| 2019 | 80 | #2,284 | — | — |
| 2018 | 77 | #2,385 | — | — |
| 2017 | 69 | #2,568 | — | — |
| 2016 | 92 | #2,124 | — | — |
| 2015 | 86 | #2,207 | — | — |
| 2014 | 110 | #1,850 | — | — |
| 2013 | 110 | #1,846 | — | — |
| 2012 | 114 | #1,800 | — | — |
| 2011 | 108 | #1,869 | — | — |
| 2010 | 110 | #1,858 | — | — |
| 2009 | 121 | #1,790 | — | — |
| 2008 | 120 | #1,814 | — | — |
| 2007 | 105 | #1,969 | — | — |
| 2006 | 128 | #1,662 | — | — |
| 2005 | 127 | #1,607 | — | — |
| 2004 | 133 | #1,519 | — | — |
| 2003 | 114 | #1,686 | — | — |
| 2002 | 110 | #1,682 | — | — |
| 2001 | 106 | #1,712 | — | — |
| 2000 | 123 | #1,502 | — | — |
| 1995 | 121 | #1,367 | — | — |
| 1990 | 237 | #831 | — | — |
| 1985 | 303 | #621 | — | — |
| 1980 | 397 | #508 | — | — |
| 1975 | 615 | #354 | — | — |
| 1970 | 1,310 | #238 | — | — |
| 1965 | 1,125 | #255 | — | — |
| 1960 | 758 | #347 | — | — |
| 1955 | 445 | #419 | — | — |
| 1950 | 345 | #436 | — | — |
| 1945 | 455 | #317 | — | — |
| 1940 | 713 | #238 | — | — |
| 1935 | 92 | #704 | — | — |
| 1930 | 71 | #853 | — | — |
| 1925 | 18 | #2,181 | — | — |
| 1920 | 11 | #3,071 | — | — |
| 1915 | 11 | #2,670 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Sonja
- Sonja Henie Skater · 1912–1969
- Sonja Ziemann Actor · 1926–2020
- Sonja Graf Chess player · 1908–1965
- Sonja Edström Skier · b. 1930
- Sonja Sohn Actor · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sonja in 2025?
Sonja ranked #3,966 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 37 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sonja?
39,557 babies have been named Sonja in the United States since 1906, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sonja most popular?
Sonja peaked in 1967, when 1,343 newborns received the name.
Is Sonja a boy or girl name?
Sonja is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sonja rising or falling?
Sonja is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sonja?
Well-known people named Sonja include Sonja Henie (skater), Sonja Ziemann (actor), Sonja Graf (chess player).