I’ve posted a few posts about names my husband and I like, however at the end of the day our favorite name is [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]. My concern is the popularity of the name. We have only met one other [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] and she was 5 years old. Is it possible that the name has declined in popularity and that the name [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] wouldn’t be as popular if used now? I know it was rated as the #1 name in 2018 because of all the variations, [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], [name_f]Sofia[/name_f] and [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]. I know I should just go for a name I love but the popularity does concern me a little bit. It always takes away my love for the name if I were to know so many other little girls share it. I’m torn. [name_m]How[/name_m] many younger [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]'s do you know? What are your thoughts on the popularity in 2019? Middle name would be [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]. Thank you!
I think [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is a beautiful name, but [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is one of the most popular names in the US and has been for some time. Personally I know 2 Sophias just through family friends, but I have no doubt we will meet more once my daughter starts school. If you are concerned about many others sharing her name, I would not choose [name_f]Sophia[/name_f].
That said, I also believe if you really love a name and feel it’s THE name for you, popularity shouldn’t necessarily be a deterrent. Your child is unique whether their name is or not.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is gorgeous.
To answer your question, I know of 9 girls under the age of 8 named [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] (two are under 1). However, I’m a teacher, so I come across more kids than the average non-teacher might.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is a beautiful combo and if you love [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], you should use it.
As for the actual popularity, I teach swimming and in the five classes i had yesterday, there were two Sophias and two Sophies.
Depending on where you are, you might be able to look up the name statistics for your state/area/town to give you a better idea of how in use it is
Popularity definitely varies by region. If you only know one, there’s a good chance it isn’t super popular in your area. And if you love it, you should definitely use it.
I know two young Sophias (under 3) and one who is a teenager.
I think [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is stunning!! Since it is your favourite name I definitely say use it and ignore how popular it is. To answer your question I know 2 Sophias: one is 3 and the other is 16. For what it’s worth I know 3 Sophies; aged 6, 14 and 21.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is very sweet! I adore it. I personally know 3 Sophies, one about age 25 and 2 under to. I know 10 [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]/Sofias. Most are 8-16 years old. My sister who is a freshman in high school has 4 in her class, (and shes one of 6 [name_f]Emily[/name_f]'s). I know maybe 3 under 5, and 2 or 3 over 20.
In my opinion, it shouldn’t matter. It’s popular because it’s a great name!! I think our kids should stand out because of their personalities, not because of their name 
Thank you all for your encouragement and for your honesty! I appreciate all of your input!
As someone who’s name is [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], I can tell you the popularity is what makes me resent my name. Growing up there were 4 other [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]’s in my grade. I think [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is a great name but the popularity really ruins it for me.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is a lovely name. I don’t necessarily think you should let popularity be the reason you don’t go with it, especially since it’s a classic enough name that even though it’s popular now I wouldn’t necessarily call it “trendy” so I think it will age well. I do think it’s really, really popular and you are likely to meet tons of little Sophies and Sophias, but it’s really a personal preference on whether or not that should bother you. As someone who grew up with a popular name and hated it, I personally wouldn’t choose a name in the top 100 but that’s personal preference and there’s no reason not to if it’s the name you love.
[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is lovely, but you will definitely meet many, many Sophias/Sofias/Sophies. My sister is one, and I know that she knows several others, although I will add that it doesn’t bother her at all and she still likes her name. Aside from my sister I know multiple Sofias/Sophias, although I can only think of one [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]. They range into their 20s, although they definitely skew towards 15 and under.
If you love the name I think you should strongly consider using it, but I think you have to determine if you can come to peace with the idea of frequently encountering other Sophias. In fact, a few months ago I read a whole article about people naming their kids [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] or a variant without realizing how popular it is. If you decide it will bother you too much to have your daughter always be [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [last initial] then perhaps you could invert the names? [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] is also lovely, and [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] would be far, far less common.
[name_f]Every[/name_f] 3rd kid I meet is named sofie/[name_f]Sofia[/name_f]!
I had a similar fear for naming my son, [name_m]Oliver[/name_m]. its in the top 10, and number 1 in my state. But it’s the only name my husband and I could agree on and when i saw him i knew he was an [name_m]Oliver[/name_m].
I was worried about it being too popular, but really the “top ten” now still converts to far fewer children being named those than say in the '80s when like 25% of boys were named [name_m]Jason[/name_m] and I feel like everyone I meet now as an adult is a [name_m]Jason[/name_m].
There is only one other boy in our daycare named [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], and he is a few years older. But, other more obscure names that I really liked and considered have since showed up in my sons class and the class below him. So, there’s really no knowing for sure, but if it’s the name you love then go with it. I would recommend waiting until you meet her, but that’s not how everyone approaches it.
You could also give her a more unique middle with nickname options (or just give her a unique nickname), so if there is another [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] in her class she would have nickname options instead of always being “[name_f]Sophia[/name_f] M.” or whatever.
I know of a [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] and a [name_f]Sofia[/name_f]. I think it’s a beautiful name and it goes so well with [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]. Yes, you will meet others, but that can be said of so many names. Or you might choose a name that becomes popular in a few years. There’s no way to know. At the end of the day, if you keep coming back to [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], then I think you should use it. If you don’t and you don’t meet another [name_f]Sophia[/name_f], or the name you decide on is more popular than you realized, you may regret letting it go. [name_m]Just[/name_m] my opinion of course.
I know a [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] & a [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] who are both between 4 & 8 years old & a [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] in her 70s. [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] is a gorgeous name & she could go by that in school if she ends up having other [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]'s in her class.
It feels like every girl I know is [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] or [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]. The name just blends in with other overused names [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
Thank you all for your opinions on the name! I also appreciate your encouragement in using the name if I feel like it is THE name! Thank you so much!