Holding steady.
Popularity of Sophonie since 1982
Babies named Sophonie per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 50 |
| 2000s | 49 |
| 2010s | 43 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Sophonie is a rare French feminine form of the Hebrew biblical name Zephaniah. In the United States, it first appeared in Social Security records in 1982, and has never entered the top 1000. Its peak year was 1997, when it reached its highest recorded usage. Since then, the name has maintained a stable but very low frequency, with an average of fewer than 5 births per year. The name is most commonly given to girls, reflecting its French feminine ending. While it has no strong geographic concentration, its usage is scattered. Sophonie offers a distinctive alternative to more common French names like Sophie or Chloe, carrying a biblical resonance that appeals to families seeking a name with religious heritage.
Sophonie is the French transliteration of the Hebrew name Zephaniah (צְפַנְיָה), derived from the elements tsafan ('to hide, to treasure') and Yah (a shortened form of Yahweh). In the Bible, Zephaniah is a minor prophet. The name has been used in French-speaking regions, particularly among Christian families, though it remains rare. It gained modest attention in the United States starting in the 1980s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sophie, Phonie
Sibling names for Sophonie
Names that share Sophonie's style, for a brother or sister.
