Sophia remains Europe’s top girls’ name for third year running

Official statistics show that 'Sophia' remains the most popular name for newborn girls in most European countries, making it the top choice for parents naming their daughters.

According to data published by the Novosti agency, 'Sophia' continues to dominate in Italy, Poland, Spain, and the Baltic states, with notable increases in France and the UK, reflecting its widespread cross-border popularity.

In Germany, 'Sophia' has held the top spot for three decades, first gaining popularity in the east 30 years ago and maintaining its lead for the third consecutive year since 2023.

In Italy, 4,636 girls were named 'Sophia' in 2024 (2.59%), a slight drop from its peaks in 2010 and 2016, while Poland topped the list with 5,000 newborns (5%) named Sophia in 2025.

The name has also ranked first in Slovakia since 2022, third in the Czech Republic after 'Victoria,' and alternated between first and second place in the Baltic countries.

In Spain, 'Sophia' surpassed 'Lucia' and 'Martina' with 3,300 newborns, while in Austria it ranked fifth behind 'Emma,' 'Emilia,' 'Maria,' and 'Mia.'

France saw 'Sophia' jump from 44th to 29th place with 1,500 newborns, and it entered the UK’s top twenty in both Sofia and Sophia spellings.

The name’s popularity is attributed to its meaning of 'wisdom,' derived from the Greek word (σοφία), and its phonetic flexibility, making it widely accepted across European languages and a classic yet modern choice for parents.