The most popular baby name for girls across the globe

Research suggests that Sofia (and all variants of it, including Sophia) is the most popular baby name for girls worldwide.

Expert in the field, Laura Wattenberg, who compiled the information, discovered Sofia/Sophia came top of the female baby name lists in nine of the countries she analysed – including Italy, Russia and Mexico. It comes in second or third place in a further 20 regions.

In the USA, which has one of the largest populations in the world, 17,327 baby girls were named Sophia in 2015, with a further 9,650 being called Sofia. Together, they make the most popular name of choice.

In the UK data from the Office of National Statistics revealed it was only the 12th most popular moniker for parents to give their baby girls during 2015 (the most recent results we have).

“It just blew me away that so many different languages and cultures would arrive at the same sound at the same time,” Wattenberg told Live Science.

What is your favourite girls name?

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17 Comments

- - june11 said
  - 11 Nov 2017
    9:42 pm
I prefer names that aren’t easily shortened so I choose short names.
Things like Lily, June, Rose, Pam, Kaye, Joy

- - Kasey said
  - 31 Oct 2017
    7:02 pm
My girls aren’t usually on the most popular lists as they are unique, which I prefer.

- - nadine_hill said
  - 30 Oct 2017
    11:56 am
Surprising result – a lovely name but I wouldn’t have thought it would be the most popular. I don’t have a favourite – I like too many!

- - BellaB said
  - 30 Oct 2017
    10:20 am
Lovely name, but not one I’ve come across all that often.

- - mom93821 said
  - 30 Oct 2017
    9:28 am
Not a name I would have guessed as I just do not know many people called Sophie or any of the variations. Too many beautiful names to have a favourite.

- - mom160421 said
  - 28 Oct 2017
    8:19 pm
I lovely name. I like a lot of traditional names.

- - mom90758 said
  - 28 Oct 2017
    12:18 pm
Ketura… Such a different name. I’ve never heard it before! Where does it come from?
- Ellen replied
  
  29 Oct 2017 , 3:22 am
  Ketura is originally a Hebrew/biblical name. The official English spelling is “Keturah” with a “h” on the end, but I’m Dutch so we did the Dutch spelling.
  The name Ketura means incense/sweet fragrance.
  - mom90758 replied
    
    29 Oct 2017 , 10:23 am
    
    Thanks for the answer, Ellen. A very special name. I’m sure your daughter is very proud of it!
- - Ellen said
  - 28 Oct 2017
    4:10 am
I have one girl of my own ad her name is Ketura.
I’ve 4 foster kids who’s name are Indianna, Bayleigh, Khloe and Sienna.

- - ashna9 said
  - 27 Oct 2017
    8:05 pm
I called my girls Jessica and Emma but love all variations of Sophie.

- - mom266216 said
  - 27 Oct 2017
    6:29 pm
If I would have a girl I will name her Arlin. We both Like this name.

- - mom206279 said
  - 27 Oct 2017
    5:37 pm
If I’d had a girl she would have been either Alexis or Caitlin. But now if I had a girl she would be Audrey. All irrelevant because no more babies for me.
- mom93821 replied
  
  01 Nov 2017 , 2:43 pm
  Audrey is a gorgeous name.
- - mom90758 said
  - 27 Oct 2017
    1:47 pm
I love the name Sophie, but my favourite remain Julia and Laura.

- - mom81879 said
  - 27 Oct 2017
    1:34 pm
I would never have thought this would be the worlds most popular. Although I do know a few. Tegan would have to be my favourite girls name

- - mom112217 said
  - 27 Oct 2017
    12:01 pm
It is a lovely name to call your child.