My husband and I are so conflicted about [name]Sophia[/name]. It’s easily our favorite first name - and one I’ve loved since I was a little girl myself. I know it’s super popular but I’ve also heard that popularity rankings mean less today than they did in the past (more names used = fewer of any particular name). We’re so conflicted about the name - we know we love it but I’m worried we’ll love it a lot less if we hear it all the time in playgroups, classrooms, etc. I had a pretty common name growing up and while it didn’t scar me in any way (I still love my name), it was kind of annoying to always be “first name C.” in a lot of classes. And we really love the idea of giving our daughter a distinctive name. Not necessarily unusual or uncommon - just distinctive. And we don’t want her name to ever be a clear indicator that she was born in the 2010s, like [name]Tiffany[/name]/[name]Jennifer[/name]/[name]Jessica[/name] for the 80s.
So, my question is – how many baby/little girl Sophias have you met recently? And where do you live? From the “Names of baby girls you’ve met recently” post, I was surprised to see so few Sophias in comparison to other “hot” girl names.
I’m from [name]Colorado[/name] and I’d say I know about 5 little [name]Sophia[/name]/[name]Sofia[/name]/[name]Sophie[/name]/[name]Sofie[/name]'s - all within the 0-5 range. Pretty name, very popular around here. When I was pregnant with my son (6 years ago) we knew 2 couples expecting at the same time who named their daughters [name]Sophia[/name]. I think that was the beginning of the trend because I hadn’t met many before that but have met lots since. Good luck!
[name]Sophia[/name] will not be the [name]Jennifer[/name]/[name]Jessica[/name]/[name]Tiffany[/name] of the 2000’s. The thing about the names like those is that they were seldom used until they burst into popularity suddenly. That is what gives them the trendy, dated vibe that they have, not popularity alone. Look at names like [name]Elizabeth[/name]- [name]Elizabeth[/name] hasn’t been out of the top 100 [name]EVER[/name] and it doesn’t seem at all dated. It’s always classic, always in style because of the consistency of use. [name]Sophia[/name] has been in the top 1000 for most years since 1880 when records first started being kept (not every year, but close). This will keep it from sounding dated. [name]Sophia[/name] is more akin to names like [name]Angela[/name] and [name]Christina[/name]- they have their bursts of popularity and periods of quieter use, but they won’t ever sound terminally dated. The [name]Aiden[/name] family and the two syllable “lee” names ([name]Kaylee[/name], [name]Bailey[/name], [name]Hayley[/name], [name]Hadley[/name], [name]Presley[/name], etc.) are more likely to be the new [name]Jennifer[/name].
Look at the statistics- [name]Sophia[/name] is #4, representing .8363% of baby girls born in 2009. Twenty years ago, that percentage of babies wouldn’t have even reached the top 10- .8363% of babies would be #14, between [name]Lauren[/name] and [name]Rachel[/name]. Thirty years ago, it would have been 17th. As a comparison, the #1 name in 1981 was [name]Jennifer[/name], representing 3.1911% of babies- that’s nearly FOUR TIMES as many Jennifers as Sophias. .8363% is less than one in one hundred- you’d need quite a large classroom to have two in the same class (statistically, about 240.)
I actually had the same problem with [name]Sophia[/name]. It’s easily one of my favorite names of all time too, but I used to be concerned about popularity. But why would I knock a name I love just because other people like it too? I’d rather my [name]Sophia[/name] have a friend also named [name]Sophia[/name] than regret never using a name that I love. And there are plenty of benefits to having a common name- it’s a good conversation starter (I have a rather uncommon name and always became instant friends with anyone who shared my name), it’s easy to say and spell (something my name is not, which is annoying), and won’t cause confusion or raised eyebrows. It’s a beautiful, sophisticated name and you clearly love it- PLEASE use it!
I don’t know a single [name]Sophia[/name] and I think that it is such a gorgeous name!!! All of this ‘‘popularity’’ stuff is for the birds! If you love the name use it!! I am naming my daughter [name]Lillian[/name] and calling her [name]Lily[/name] regardless of its popularity. Lilllian was my grandmother’s name and if I weren’t naming my baby after her I woulld strongly consider [name]Sophia[/name]
I know SO many [name]Sophia[/name]'s, everywhere I turn. Of all ages 0-18. I’d say about half of them go by [name]Sophie[/name]. It’s undoubtedly a gorgeous name, and I love [name]Sophie[/name] myself, but there’s no pretending it isn’t extremely popular. (I live in New [name]England[/name], if that helps)
I love [name]Sophia[/name]. It is used a lot though. I know 3 [name]Sophia[/name]'s all under 2 yrs old.
[name]Sophia[/name] [name]Ella[/name]
[name]Sophia[/name] [name]Jean[/name]
[name]Sophia[/name] [name]Olive[/name].
I have a 2.5 old son and we have met a few [name]Sophia[/name]'s at our playground too. They seem to be between the ages of 0 to 4 where I live.
Have you considered it for a MN? I think it is a great MN!
I live in the South and I’ve never known any. I did hear a woman calling her daughter (about 4) [name]Sophie[/name] at the store yesterday, but that’s about it.
I think [name]Daisy[/name] did a great job of putting things in perspective. If you love the name, don’t let the fear of popularity hold you back. [name]Even[/name] if you picked name #678 for her, it doesn’t guarantee that she will be the only one with her name in her class. On the other hand, you may always regret not using it.
To answer your questions, I know zero Sophias. The hot names around here (I’m in the midwest) are [name]Abby[/name],[name]Ellie[/name]/[name]Ella[/name]/[name]Elle[/name]/[name]Bella[/name]/[name]Stella[/name],and [name]Grace[/name].
I know a few Sophias, but they are all aged 10+. My mom is a fourth grade teacher and she has had a [name]Sophia[/name] in her class the past two years. I think that if you love the name, go for it!
I have a five-year old [name]Sophia[/name], and I struggled also with the popularity issue when we were naming her. But [name]Sophia[/name] remained our favorite name (and certainly my favorite out of the ones we could agree on). Sometimes I think it’s the idea of choosing a popular name rather than the prevalence of the name itself that is bothersome to people–that is, the fear of being branded as uncreative, unimaginative, unthoughtful, un-whatever is perhaps at the heart of many people’s animosity toward popular names. I’m not saying that’s all there is to it, but I wonder if it’s a factor for some. I’ve struggled myself with the implications of having chosen a top-10 name and its effects upon my self-image as a baby namer–though I’ve known full well all the thought that went into picking our girl’s name, and in the end, I think that avoiding a name solely because of its popularity is as slavish to fashion as anything. I can’t really speak to how you’ll feel about the name if you hear it a bunch on the playground (which you may), but I think that it says a lot that you love your own name even though it’s popular. Growing up, I always wished more girls shared my name, so I don’t see giving a child a name he/she may share with others as anything remotely terrible.
To answer your question:
There is one other [name]Sophia[/name] at our little girl’s school.
One [name]Sophia[/name] who is the daughter of an acquaintance.
One [name]Sofia[/name] who is the daughter of another acquaintance.
I can also think of a couple of Sophias who I’ve come upon over the years who are in their twenties.
I encounter more Sophies, actually, where I live (though statistically, [name]Sophia[/name] is more popular in our state–east coast/mid-atlantic).
If you did go with [name]Sophia[/name], you could always try for an off-beat middle. (Our [name]Sophia[/name] is [name]Sophia[/name] [name]Noelani[/name].)
I know quite a few [name]Sophia[/name]/Sophies. It’s easily one of the more popular names of my age group (15-16) and I know many younger ones too. Like [name]Daisy[/name] said, though, it is much less likely to become dated seeing as it’s an undeniably classic, legitimate name that has been in use for centuries (unlike [name]Tiffany[/name], [name]Ashley[/name], etc). Plus it’s lovely and has a great meaning. If it’s the name, don’t worry too much about popularity.
I live in the south and know three sophia’s
[name]Sophia[/name] [name]Rose[/name]
[name]Sophia[/name] [name]Grace[/name]
[name]Sophia[/name] [name]Lynn[/name]
I’ve also heard it alot in my friends kids classes but do not know how many there are exactly , i agree with one of the posts before i do not think it will be the next tiffany but as of right now it is at its peak. Still i love the name , its the one name when i told my dad about he loved it (verrrryyy rare!)
I just think it has a soft graceful cuteness in it! (:
Honestly, they are everywhere where I live. I have a 2 year old and in her classes and groups she is in there are multiple Sophias. They are known as [name]Sophia[/name] J. or [name]Sophia[/name] R. or [name]Sophie[/name] etc.
So if you love the name no matter what go for it. But really it is a popular name so she will be one of many.
I had to reply as [name]Sophia[/name] is my favorite name and I’ve been watching with fear as it has gone up in popularity. I know two Sophias, both under the age of two. I tend to hear the name [name]Olivia[/name] a lot more around here (midwest state).
I know one sophia, but I say if you love it, use it, no matter what. I grew up with a very popular name and always thought my name must be super pretty if there are so many of us around :). I lookd at it as a positive thing.
I named my daughter a somewhat popular name (ranked 30). And picked an even popular nn for her. But if I didnt’ do this, when I would hear a little girl being called this name or that nn, I would have regretted it.
