Of Greek origin.
Sophia means ‘wisdom’ in Greek.
It is also commonly spelled Sofia.
It is the second element in the word “philosophy”, which literally means “friend of Wisdom”.
Sophia was also an early saint who died of grief after her three daughters were martyred. Legends about her were probably the result of a medieval misunderstanding of the phrase “Hagia Sophia”, meaning “Holy Wisdom”, which was the name of the large basilica in Constantinople.
Sophia was a common name in continental European royalty during the Middle Ages.
It became popular in Britain when the German House of Hanover inherited the British throne in the 18th century.
Other forms of the name are Sofia, Sophie, Sonja, Sonia, Vivi, Sophy.
Famous bearers are Sophia Loren, Sophia Myles, Sophia Bush, Sophia Lillis.
Sophia or Sofia is a popular name in United States, Canada, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, England and Wales, Ireland and Greece.
Italian actress Sophia Loren is one of the legendary movie stars of all times.
She earned an Academy Award in 1962, for her performance in Vittorio De Sica’s film “Two Women”, and she has made an astonishing career.
She also won several Golden Globe’s awards, a BAFTA and Laurel award, a Honorary Academy Award and a Cecil B DeMille Award.
She performed in film of some of the world’s greatest director, co-starred with actors and actresses such as Richard Burton, Marcello Mastroianni, John Cassavetes, Peter O’Toole, Silvana Mangano, Anthony Quinn, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Cary Grant, Marlon Brando.