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?

Do you love Emma but hate the popularity? Emma currently ranks in as the most popular female name in the United States. This Germanic M-heavy monikor was a hit 100 years ago and was considered too old fashioned until it became chic in the late 90s. Here are some other Germanic oldies you might want to consider as an alternative or perhaps a nice sibling match for an Emma.

I guarantee these names are not in the current U.S. Top 1000.

• Alva: a current favorite among Swedish parents, this Old Norse name meaning “elf” has not been seen in the U.S. Top 1000 since 1958!
• Auda: a feminine form of Otto, this sweet gem has a sonorous similarity to Autumn, yet has the same sweet old fashioned vibe of Audrey.
• Berta, Bertha: This once beloved 2-syllable Germanic name was one of the most popular female names at the end of the 19th-century, then went so out of style that it hasn’t been seen in the Top 1000 since 1985. If Bertha is 2-heavy for you, you might prefer the less lispy Berta.
• Ebba: a feminine form of Everett
• Edda: another Old Norse name meaning “grand-mother” and also referring to the Nordic literary works, a great name for any parent who loves literature.
• Elarda: a Frisian feminine form of Eilhard.
• Emmilotte: this 19th-century German smush-name would make the perfect alternative to Emma & Charlotte.
• Erna: is a lovely Old Norse name meaning “hale,”pronounced AIR-nah, it is even lovelier. Who knows, maybe we can start a trend for the phonetic Airna.
• Gebba: a Frisian short form of Gebharda.
• Gerta: this rearrangement of Greta is a short form of Gertrude.
• Gesa: pronounced, GHES-sah, this a Low-German short form of Gertrude.
• Gusta: a short form of Augusta that became an independent name in its own right, this was in the U.S. Top 1000 between 1881-1905.
• Hedda: another Scandinavian favorite, this diminutive form of Hedwig surprisingly never appeared in the U.S. Top 1000 since 1880.
• Herta: based on a mislanstation of the Norse fertility goddess by Nerthus, this 2-syllable Germanic female was once among the top 10 Most Popular Female Name in Germany.
• Hilda: Hilda is strong and feminine, so why not Hilda for the 21st-Century? She is currently in the Swedish Top 100 and Hilda is being reconsidered by modern German parents. She has reappeared in the German Top 500 this past year.
• Ida: a long-time favorite in Scandinavia, this has consistently been in the Swedish & Norwegian Top 100 since 1976.
• Karda: an old diminutive form of Rikarda. 
• Lemma: no one is quite sure where she came from, but she was in the U.S. Top 1000 between 1880-1891, and then just like that, she completely disappeared. Perhaps she was used in reference to the term in botany or the mathematical concept, however way you look at it, it is quite a fresh and unusual alternative to America’s #1 name.
• Minna: Pronounced MIN-nah & not MEEN-nah, this lovely apellation is from the Old Germanic word (and modern Yiddish word!) for love (as in romantic love).
• Nanna: name of a Norse goddess
• Norma: Marilyn Monroe’s real name, who could go wrong.
• Oda: feminine form of Udo.
• Poldi: this adorable diminutive form of Leopoldina would make an unexpected yet chic modern choice
• Seffa: an old German diminutive form of Josepha.
• Selma: a short form of Anselma, Selma Hayek carries this name well, why not your newborn?
• Silka: an Old German short form of Cecilia.
• Tetta: a Friesian short form of Diederike
• Trudy: this stand-alone  form of Gertrude would make an adorable independent name for a child of the 2020s
• Ulla: why not Ulla? It is an Old Germanic name that fits many 2-syllable trendy name such as Emma, Ella & Stella.
• Wanda: this Polish lovely was one Polish name that became widespread across the English-speaking world, if you want a more Germanic flavor, there is also Vanda.

What do you think?

Would you use any of these name?

Did you find inspiration in this list? If so, please share