So, my daughter is named [name]Sophie[/name]. It’s not short for [name]Sophia[/name] or [name]Sophronia[/name] or anything else, it is a stand-alone name. And, obviously, I like it that way! However, I was berated by an acquaintance today for naming my daughter a “nickname”.
Now, to me, [name]Sophie[/name] isn’t a nickname for anything. It is the French version of [name]Sophia[/name] and a completely different name. I think Nameberry puts it best as, “[name]Sophie[/name] is lively and down-to-earth, while [name]Sophia[/name] is more sophisticated and buttoned-up.” I wanted something earthy but sweet for my little girl. [name]Sophia[/name] is a beautiful, classic name but it wasn’t for me.
My question for you is, which do you prefer? [name]Sophie[/name] or [name]Sophia[/name]? [name]Do[/name] you think they’re different names, or that one is a nickname of the other?
I always preferred [name]Sophia[/name] growing up because I knew so many [name]Sophie[/name]'s and the only [name]Sophia[/name] I knew of was [name]Sophia[/name] [name]Loren[/name], so [name]Sophia[/name] seemed much more glamorous and exotic to me.
But now, I adore both. I think [name]Sophie[/name] is much sweeter and warmer and I think as with most things, name fashions will come around again and that in 10 years people will be bored of so many [name]Sophia[/name]'s being around and [name]Sophie[/name] will start to seem fresher again. The same kind of thing seems to be happening with [name]Laura[/name] and [name]Lauren[/name]. [name]Laura[/name] got used so much that people found [name]Lauren[/name] fresher. But now [name]Lauren[/name]'s been used so much I think a lot of people are reverting back to [name]Laura[/name].
Having said all that, [name]Sophie[/name] is actually higher up the name list here in the UK than [name]Sophia[/name]! I have a feeling that’ll change in the next few years though because I know of a few baby [name]Sophia[/name]'s around here.
But no I don’t think [name]Sophie[/name] is just a nick name at all. It’s a legit French from of a Latin name. I’ve had the same issue with my number one name [name]Claudie[/name] which is the French variation of [name]Claudia[/name], lots of people can only see it as a nickname for [name]Claudia[/name] but I disagree. I think it’s the same with [name]Sylvie[/name] and [name]Sylvia[/name].
Your daughter has a lovely name so don’t worry about some peoples ignorance!
I prefer [name]Sophia[/name] personally. I think it’s so beautiful and rhythmic. I picture things in my mind to go along with sounds and [name]Sophia[/name]'s picture in my head is much prettier than [name]Sophie[/name]'s. That said, I don’t really see anything wrong with [name]Sophie[/name]. It is, as you said, the French full form of the name, and I don’t see it as a name that couldn’t be carried over into adulthood. It can be a nickname, but names like [name]Sadie[/name] and [name]Ellie[/name] to me have much more of a nicknamey, childish quality. I can easily picture [name]Sophie[/name] on an adult. [name]Don[/name]'t listen to other people’s opinions on your daughter’s name- somebody’s always going to dislike your choice, no matter what it is.
[name]Sophie[/name], absolutely! It’s more playful and prettier to me. [name]Sophia[/name]'s definitely a great name, I just prefer [name]Sophie[/name].
Before I knew much about names or French I thought that [name]Sophie[/name] was a nickname. Once I learned that it’s the French version of [name]Sophia[/name] I realized that it’s just as much a stand alone as [name]Marie[/name] or [name]Julie[/name].
I love both names. Personally I would use [name]Sophia[/name] because I feel like you get the best of both worlds that way. I used to nanny a [name]Sofia[/name] and regularly called her [name]Sofie[/name] (hmm, spelling?) and [name]Fia[/name] along with [name]Sofia[/name]. Gosh, I love that name. Her neighbor’s name was [name]Sophie[/name] and they got such a kick out of having almost the same name. They were very clear, however, that one was [name]SofiA[/name] and the other was [name]SophIE[/name].
My almost 1 yr old little girl is [name]Sophie[/name]-[name]Claire[/name]. I was asked the same thing when I told people I was planning to name her [name]Sophie[/name]…“Well, isn’t that a nickname?”
Ummm. no! it is a name, it is french and it is beautiful! I love the soft ending and the fact that in the US it is not as popular as [name]Sophia[/name]. [name]Sophie[/name] is a beautiful name =0)
I prefer [name]Sophie[/name]. It’s absolutely a full name on its own.
In fact, I find it mildly annoying when people name their daughters [name]Sophia[/name] and then proceed to use [name]Sophie[/name] as a “nickname” for it.
My best friend’s name is [name]Sophie[/name]. Her birth cert name is [name]Sophia[/name], though. She frequently complains about how she wishes her parents had just named her [name]Sophie[/name], and is planning to change the “a” to an “e” when she turns 18! So, I do agree with you.
And, obviously, I like it that way! However, I was berated by an acquaintance today for naming my daughter a “nickname”.