Sophia
Sophia is a Christian girl name of Greek origin, meaning “Wisdom”.
| Meaning | Wisdom |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Greek |
| Written as | Σοφία |
| Pronunciation | soh-FEE-ah |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Sophia
Sophia is simply the Greek word for wisdom. In early Christianity Holy Wisdom was a title for Christ, which is why Justinian's great church in Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, is dedicated to 'Holy Wisdom' rather than to a woman named Sophia. The name spread through the Byzantine and later European royal families, and Sophia of Hanover was the ancestor through whom the British crown passed to the Hanoverian kings. Famous modern bearers include the actress Sophia Loren.
Is Sophia a Christian name?
Sophia is not the name of a woman in the Bible, but wisdom is a major theme of the Bible's wisdom books, and in Greek Christian thought Holy Wisdom is linked to Christ. A legendary martyr, Saint Sophia, is honoured with her daughters Faith, Hope and Charity in Orthodox and Catholic tradition.
How popular is Sophia?
One of the most widely used girls' names in the world over the past two decades, popular in both its Sophia and Sofia spellings.
Gifts with the name Sophia
- Sophia name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Sophia baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Sophia
Names similar to Sophia
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sophia mean?
Sophia means 'Wisdom'. It is of Greek origin.
Is Sophia a Christian name?
Sophia is not the name of a woman in the Bible, but wisdom is a major theme of the Bible's wisdom books, and in Greek Christian thought Holy Wisdom is linked to Christ. A legendary martyr, Saint Sophia, is honoured with her daughters Faith, Hope and Charity in Orthodox and Catholic tradition.
How do you pronounce Sophia?
Sophia is pronounced soh-FEE-ah.
Is Sophia a boy or girl name?
Sophia is usually a girl name.