Sophia is currently the 5th Most Popular Female Name in the United States. In 1997, this Greek classic first entered the U.S. Top 100 and peaked at #1 between 2011-2013. Its alternative spelling of Sofia is also in the Top 100. Sofia currently reigns in the #17 spot, while its French form of Sophie currently comes in at #98.

If you already have a Sophia but want a more unusual sister-name that goes well or you like the sound of Sophia but not the popularity, below are 30 names with a similar style and feel as Sophia

• Agafia: a Russian variant transliteration form of Agafya, the latter is the Russian form of Agatha.
• Alifa: from the Arabic meaning, “kind & compassionate.”
• Annasofia, Annasophia: a European double name used in Northern Germanic Europe, this would make an unusual yet recognizable alternative to Anna or Sophia, or even Anastasia.
• Bethia: a Scottish & English form of the Gaelic Beathag or the Biblical Hebrew, Bithiah, either way, this rare gem that was once common in the 18th-century is due for a comeback.
• Christoffia, Christophia: an obscure Nordic feminine form of Christopher, this would be the perfect alternative to Sophia or even Christina.
• Dolfia, Dolphia: a contracted form of Rudolphia.
• Delphia: the name first came into use in the 17th-century when it was used in the 1647 Fletch & Messinger play, The Prophetess.
• Eleftheria: this Greek gem means “freedom.”
• Eulalia: meaning “well-spoken,” this Greek lovely was more common at the turn of the 20th-century, nicknames include Lalie, Lali, Lia and even Euli/Yulie.
• Euphemia: found in Greek mythology and also the name of a saint, this unusual elaborate Greek monikor was more common, (albeit never popular), at the turn of the 20th-century. It spawned Effie & Eppie, which were also commonly used as independent names around the same time.
• Hestia: literally meaning “hearth” in Greek, this was the name of the Greek goddess of home & domesticity. She has an elegant sound and a cozy significance.
• Ilithyia: pronounced i-LIE-thee-ah in English, this was the name of a Greek goddess of midwifery.
• Josefia, Josephia: an elaborate feminine form of Joseph.
• Lethia: a contracted form of Alethea or a variation of the Greek, Lethe which is the name of a river in the Greek underworld.
• Ligeia: pronounced lie-GHEE-ah or lie-GAY-ah in English, this was the name of a siren in Greek legend as well as the eponymous character in Edgar Allen Poe’s 1838 poem.
• Lutfia, Lutfiya: pronounced lut-FEE-ah, this charming Arabic name means “compassionate.”
• Olafia: an Icelandic feminine form of Olaf.
• Raphea: an elaborated truncated form of Rafaela or a variant transcription of the Arabic, Rafia, meaning “kind, compassionate.”
• Romea: a Romansch feminine form of Romeo.
• Rudolfia, Rudolphia: an obscure Nordic feminine form of Rudolph.
• Safina: an obscure Nordic form of Sophia or Sapphira.
• Sapphira: pronounced saf-FIE-ruh in English, this gorgeous Biblical name might make the perfect yet unusual alternative to Sophia.
• Seraphia: the name of a Syrian Christian martyr, she can be pronounced SAIR-ah-FEE-ah or seh-RAF-ee-ah. There is also the lyrical alternative form of Serapia and the French Séraphie or you can anglicize it to Seraphie (SAIR-e-FEE).
• Sophronia: from the Greek meaning “self-controlled, sensible,” this name has been borne by saints and is also the scientific name for the cattleya orchid. It was more common in the 19th-century and spawned offshoots such as Frona & Fronie.
• Sophonisba: this unusual appellation was borne by an alleged Carthaginian princess, her name is believed to be a Latin mistranslation of Safanba’al meaning “sheltered by Ba’al.” Sophonisba later became the subject of numerous 15th-century Italian plays and was borne by Italian artist, Sofonisba Anguissola (1535-1624).
• Theodora: you can shorten her to the boyish Teddy or the more girly Dora, she is regal, majestic and has the same byzantine flare as Sophia.
• Theodosia: another byzantinesque nomen, she also has a plethora of wonderful nicknames to chose from.
• Xanthe: The Greek answer to Flavia, she is exotic yet familiar.
• Zenobia: the Greek form of Zaynab, this was the name of a beautiful Carthaginian queen.
• Zelpha, Zilphia: a Biblical favorite of the Puritans meaning “frailty,” this was the name of one of the concubines of Abraham, the handmaid of Leah.
• Zosia: a Polish diminutive form of Zofia, (ZOH-shah), this name was brought to the American public’s attention by Girls star, Zosia Mamet.

What do you think?

Would you use any of these?

Have any of these inspired you?