Sofia
Say it: so-FEE-a/sɒˈfiːə/
GirlMeans wisdom5 letters3 syllables
#23
in Ireland (2025)
152
babies in 2025
#23
best rank (2025)
2,586
babies since 1982
Up 18
10-year rank change
Sofia through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 152 | #23 |
| 2024 | 170 | #24 |
| 2023 | 163 | #26 |
| 2022 | 143 | #39 |
| 2021 | 171 | #30 |
| 2020 | 141 | #36 |
| 2019 | 142 | #42 |
| 2018 | 126 | #46 |
| 2017 | 137 | #43 |
| 2016 | 156 | #42 |
| 2015 | 144 | #41 |
| 2014 | 148 | #42 |
| 2013 | 155 | #41 |
| 2012 | 105 | #64 |
| 2011 | 130 | #58 |
| 2010 | 85 | #80 |
| 2009 | 50 | #130 |
| 2008 | 54 | #119 |
| 2007 | 41 | #150 |
| 2006 | 45 | #122 |
| 2005 | 30 | #151 |
| 2004 | 15 | #242 |
| 2003 | 21 | #184 |
| 2002 | 19 | #197 |
| 2001 | 8 | #335 |
| 2000 | 11 | #269 |
| 1999 | 4 | #439 |
| 1998 | 5 | #381 |
| 1997 | 7 | #363 |
| 1991 | 5 | #423 |
| 1982 | 3 | #523 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Sofia mean?
Wisdom
A spelling of Sophia, from the Greek word sophia (wisdom).
Say it right
soFEEa
Some people put the stress first and say SOH-fee-a.
The story of Sofia
Sofia is a spelling of Sophia, which comes from the Greek word sophia, meaning wisdom. Christians honoured Holy Wisdom under that name, which is why the great church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople carries it. The Sofia spelling is the one used in Italian and in many other European languages, with Sofía the Spanish form. The capital of Bulgaria shares the name too, after an old church dedicated to Holy Wisdom.
In Ireland Sofia was first recorded in 1982, and it stayed rare until the 2000s. Since then it has climbed steadily, and it reached number 23 in 2025, its highest place so far. The CSO lists Sofía with a fada separately, and the figures here add the two together. Sophia and Sophie count as separate names.
In Northern Ireland it ranked 32nd in 2025, also its best position there.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Sofia (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Sophia (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia | 145 | 2,541 |
| Sofía | 7 | 45 |
In Northern Ireland
#32 in 2025 with 49 babies. Best rank #32 (2025); 735 babies since 2004.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.