Sophia
Chiefly from Latin Sophia, from Ancient Greek Σοφία (Sophía), from σοφία (sophía, “wisdom”), especially in reference to holy or divine wisdom under the influence of…
Every Sophia since 1880 — 439,619 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sophia
Sophia is a top-10 name for girls in the United States, ranked #5 in 2025 with 12,561 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 439,619 American babies have been named Sophia. Its peak came in 2012, when 22,354 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Sophia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sophia 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 | 12,561 | #5 | 11 | #7,606 |
| 2024 | 12,126 | #6 | — | — |
| 2023 | 11,999 | #5 | 9 | #8,827 |
| 2022 | 12,382 | #5 | 12 | #7,198 |
| 2021 | 12,585 | #6 | 10 | #8,078 |
| 2020 | 13,105 | #4 | 11 | #7,431 |
| 2019 | 13,821 | #4 | 16 | #5,765 |
| 2018 | 14,013 | #5 | 16 | #5,742 |
| 2017 | 14,947 | #5 | 19 | #5,083 |
| 2016 | 16,185 | #4 | 18 | #5,286 |
| 2015 | 17,454 | #3 | 14 | #6,265 |
| 2014 | 18,644 | #3 | 19 | #5,034 |
| 2013 | 21,255 | #1 | 26 | #3,947 |
| 2012 | 22,336 | #1 | 18 | #5,215 |
| 2011 | 21,863 | #1 | 23 | #4,335 |
| 2010 | 20,656 | #2 | 26 | #3,974 |
| 2009 | 16,951 | #4 | 9 | #8,899 |
| 2008 | 16,091 | #7 | 12 | #7,120 |
| 2007 | 17,031 | #6 | 18 | #5,181 |
| 2006 | 13,503 | #9 | 22 | #4,349 |
| 2005 | 12,678 | #12 | 16 | #5,244 |
| 2004 | 10,919 | #15 | 40 | #2,686 |
| 2003 | 9,687 | #20 | 13 | #5,834 |
| 2002 | 8,665 | #27 | 6 | #10,483 |
| 2001 | 7,162 | #37 | 9 | #7,429 |
| 2000 | 6,564 | #42 | 6 | #10,178 |
| 1995 | 1,765 | #168 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1,124 | #251 | 5 | #9,322 |
| 1985 | 1,098 | #236 | 9 | #4,645 |
| 1980 | 641 | #366 | — | — |
| 1975 | 380 | #487 | 5 | #6,220 |
| 1970 | 582 | #402 | — | — |
| 1965 | 509 | #416 | — | — |
| 1960 | 261 | #623 | — | — |
| 1955 | 152 | #782 | — | — |
| 1950 | 109 | #849 | — | — |
| 1945 | 103 | #736 | — | — |
| 1940 | 105 | #680 | — | — |
| 1935 | 101 | #658 | — | — |
| 1930 | 152 | #554 | — | — |
| 1925 | 289 | #403 | — | — |
| 1920 | 545 | #279 | — | — |
| 1915 | 692 | #227 | — | — |
| 1910 | 271 | #237 | — | — |
| 1905 | 237 | #198 | — | — |
| 1900 | 259 | #197 | — | — |
| 1895 | 259 | #164 | — | — |
| 1890 | 245 | #144 | — | — |
| 1885 | 185 | #134 | — | — |
| 1880 | 138 | #118 | — | — |
Famous people named Sophia
- Sophia Loren Actor · b. 1934
- Sophia of Hanover Nobleman · 1630–1714
- Sophia Palaiologina Politician · 1455–1503
- Sophia Dorothea of Hanover Companion · 1687–1757
- Sophia Alekseyevna of Russia Politician · 1657–1704
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sophia mean?
Chiefly from Latin Sophia, from Ancient Greek Σοφία (Sophía), from σοφία (sophía, “wisdom”), especially in reference to holy or divine wisdom under the influence of Biblical Hebrew חוכמה (khokhmá), to the early martyr St. Sophia,…
How popular is the name Sophia in 2025?
Sophia ranked #5 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 12,561 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sophia?
439,619 babies have been named Sophia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sophia most popular?
Sophia peaked in 2012, when 22,354 newborns received the name.
Is Sophia a boy or girl name?
Sophia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sophia rising or falling?
Sophia is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sophia?
Well-known people named Sophia include Sophia Loren (actor), Sophia of Hanover (nobleman), Sophia Palaiologina (politician).