I am hoping to have a baby sometime in the near future, and I am already thinking about names. I love the name [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], but I wish it wasn’t the number 1 name!
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] fits all of our criteria:
timeless ([name_f]Sophia[/name_f]'s been on the SSA Top 1000 every year since it started in 1880)
Greek/Latin/Spanish origins
easy to spell and pronounce
good meaning ([name_f]Sophia[/name_f] means “wisdom”)
3+ syllables with good nickname options (nn would be [name_f]Soph[/name_f] or [name_f]Sophie[/name_f])
The only thing I worry about is that she will be one of three [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]'s in her class. I would use something less common in the middle spot, so she could go by [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] _____ in school instead of [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] G. if it becomes an issue.
So I’m on the fence. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think I should use [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] despite its popularity, or should I keep looking?
Keep looking, or use [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] as a middle name (i.e.: [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]). [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] and a lot of its variants ([name_f]Sophie[/name_f], [name_f]Sofia[/name_f], Sofía…) are soooo overused and boring these days, in a lot of countries.
If you love the name, I think that is the most important thing!
I assume you’re in the US, so you might want to check out this site to see how popular the name really is in your state. E.g. in 2013 the name [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] was number 6 in [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] and number 14 in Mississippi, so you might be lucky! http://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/namesbystate.cgi
If you want her to maybe be called by her middle name too, I would choose a short one. You know like the girl on [name_f]Ellen[/name_f], [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]? That’s basically what she’s known as and I think a one syllable middle name would be a good way to go (Maybe be a bit more creative than [name_f]Grace[/name_f] haha)
I would continue looking and keep [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] on the back burner. I used to adore the name until that was all that I ever heard. It became quite bland and just lost its “umph”. Expand your name database and see what else is out there. When you get pregnant and if it is a girl see how you feel about the name. You may decide to keep it and use it in the middle spot or toss it altogether.
I personally wouldn’t want my child to be “[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] G.” or “[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f]” (or any other combination of last initials/middle names). If I still loved it I would just stick it in the middle so she could have a more defining name instead of melding in with a sea of Sophias. Again, this is just personal preference and if you’re not even pregnant yet you have lots of time to see what else is out there before you choose
Honestly, if you love it, use it. [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is on my list too (as well as [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and [name_f]Mia[/name_f] which are also very popular in the US, thankfully not as much in my country) and I love it a lot. After all there’s reason why it’s so high up on the list - it’s pretty and widely appealing. I’d say go for it.
I am called [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] and I disliked my name for a while as a teenager but I now love my name! When my parents named me 24 years ago it obviously wasn’t as popular. I get nicknamed [name_f]Fifi[/name_f] by my family and Phia by my fiancé so there are some ideas for nicknames.
If you love the name then I don’t see why the popularity should stop you.
I really understand your dilemma! I also love [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]! I also have an Aunt [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] and would love to honor her. However, the name being so popular I could never use it. I want my child’s name to be unique. I couldn’t ever have her going by [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] X or [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] Y. Maybe the use of a similar style or a similar sound. [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f], [name_f]Sonya[/name_f], [name_f]Soleil[/name_f] or [name_f]Stefania[/name_f]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] a similar origin or culture would be a nice twist… Achilla, [name_f]Calandra[/name_f], Marlina, [name_f]Calista[/name_f], [name_f]Tahlia[/name_f] or Zandria. Best of luck to you!
Thanks again everyone! I haven’t taken [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] completely off the list yet, but I’ve been looking at other options. What do you think of [name_f]Lucia[/name_f]? It feels similar to [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], but is way lower on the popularity chart.
I wouldn’t personally use a name that popular. There are too many other lovely names to choose from. However, it’s beautiful, and if you love it, that’s all that counts.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is okay. It’s always been a name that I don’t really have a strong opinion on, besides that it feels modern, kinda with a 1980’s feel. I’ve met so many different [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]'s all w totally different personalities. Most went as [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], but a few went as [name_f]Sophie[/name_f].
Since it’s number one, I wouldn’t use it, even if I loved it.
My name is [name_u]Ashley[/name_u], which, while being far from timeless, was the number one name the year I was born. I actually love my name and have never minded the popularity much. Meeting others with my name has always been cool, not annoying or overly inconveniencing.
I think you should go ahead and use [name_f]Sophia[/name_f].
[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] is so beautiful, and it gives me the same vibe as [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] without the popularity. I can’t understand why it isn’t used more!
Yet, if you still love [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] more, that’s fine. I really don’t know that many people with the most popular names. I had a HS class and dance lessons with girls with my first name, and my name was in the 130s when I was born… You really never can tell! And some of the most interesting women my age that I know have typical names like [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] and [name_f]Jenny[/name_f].
Use it! It fits all of your criteria, and I think that’s more important than the fact that it’s extremely popular. Being [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] G. in class isn’t most ideal, but I don’t see anything damaging about it. After all, [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is a wonderful name! I’d rather have a common name than a kre8tiv one.
If you’re looking for a bit of variety, you can use a double barreled name (preferably an uncommon middle name) or you can use a different spelling like [name_f]Sofia[/name_f].
(Maybe be a bit more creative than [name_f]Grace[/name_f] haha)