Thoughts on Sophronia?

vercatosso · September 2014

I have some ancestors named Sophronia (pronounced Soh-froh-nee-yuh). I think it's absolutely gorgeous. I think it sounds elegant and old-fashioned. I love that it can be shortened to Sophie. I also like the idea of it being a family name.

However, because it is somewhat uncommon, I'm worried it might sound weird. Because it is a variation of the currently-common Sophia/Sophie, I don't want it to sound made-up and silly. I've asked a few people about it, and the most common reaction that I get is that it isn't their style. Everyone likes different things. However, I don't want it to be a BAD name, if that makes sense. Being something not everyone would use is VERY different from people hearing it and going "ew!"

I love the name, but I don't want my daughter to be saddled with something that people really hate or that looks bad on a future resume or something.

Give me any and all opinions! Thank you so much!

ProfessorMcGonagall · September 2014

Not a fan

strawberrytree · September 2014

Without knowing its significance to you, if I heard it I'd think the parents liked Sophia but wanted something more 'special' or unique. I like Sophia but I'm not a huge fan of this...it might make a nice middle for a shorter first name. Something along the lines of Claire Sophronia, etc.

Skrittens · September 2014

I love that it is a family name - but if I didn't know that- I would think it was made up. Ignorant in my part perhaps - but I would use it as a middle name - you can still nn Sophie.

erindahlin · September 2014

I think you are going to run into having to pronounce it for people for her entire life. It also sounds similar to Seraphina but not as pretty or easy to pronounce. But if you love it then you should use it. But just a suggestion, since Sophie/Sophia is so popular what about the nn Nia? Calling her Sophie/Sophia goes against the point of using a unique name.

IrishTraveler · September 2014

NMS, but I don't hate it. I do think if I met someone with the name, I would just think the parents were trying to avoid the popular Sophie/Sophia.

DawnJM25 · September 2014

strawberrytree said:

Without knowing its significance to you, if I heard it I'd think the parents liked Sophia but wanted something more 'special' or unique. I like Sophia but I'm not a huge fan of this...it might make a nice middle for a shorter first name. Something along the lines of Claire Sophronia, etc.

My thoughts exactly. I had to look at it for a few seconds to sound it out in my mind. Never a good sign in a name IMO.

queenbone · September 2014

It reminds me of The Gift of The Magi. Madame Sofronie is the woman who cuts off Della's hair.

I could warm up to the name. It is a whole lot of FN though. It would definitely be great in the MN spot.

nah82 · September 2014

I'm sorry, but first impression, this name sounds like an ailment to me. I've never encountered it before.

Coconuthead · September 2014

I kind of like it and since you have personal ties to it I say use it. However, I would probably stay away from Sophie as a nn. I like pp suggestion of Nia.

harmonicbabe26 · September 2014

My first thought was - Are you a fan of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series... I have to say it's not my style and you really don't ever hear it. Seems like it is one of those in the past names... I like Sophie a lot.

DaisyZH · September 2014

I kind of like it. I think it depends on your kid's personality though, which of course you don't know yet. It might be a tough name for a kid that's a little shyer for example. Personally I would use it as a middle name.

Ballerina0917 · September 2014

It's def a name that you would absolutely have to nickname...but i really can't imagine it on a resume. Sounds like an instrument to me? I'd much prefer it as a middle name, then at least she wouldn't have to explain it every time she shares her name. That said...it does have meaning to you, it's not a random, made up name, so if you feel strongly about it, I say go for it.

@queenbone...love the gift of the magi throwback, such an amazing book. You just made me wish I was having a girl so I could name her Della!

queenbone · September 2014

Ballerina0917 said:

@queenbone...love the gift of the magi throwback, such an amazing book. You just made me wish I was having a girl so I could name her Della!

Our family tradition is reading it on Christmas Eve... and seeing if anyone can keep a dry eye. :-B

Rebis58 · September 2014

If I saw it my first thought would be that you wanted a fancier/unique version of Sophia. I would look it up to see if it was a real name because I would be curious. Once I knew it was real I wouldn't side-eye it anymore, but to be honest I don't love the sound of the name.

I think it's got nice significance to you, and it's a real name, so if you love it go for it! It's no "weirder" than going for a name like Persephone, which I would be surprised to see but wouldn't side-eye.

EXL311 · September 2014

It's not the worst name I've ever heard but it's not good. Very few people will have heard of this name before so it will definitely come across as youneek. I try to think if I would like to have a certain name and I definitely would not want to have this one. As a middle name it's fine but not for a fn.

4N6s · September 2014

Not my style.

danascullyx · September 2014

It's the name of the main character in Gail Carriger's Finishing School book series, do I'd think you got it from there. I think it's a mouthful, but nice.

HeavenBlessedMom · September 2014

I like it better than sophie. Always sounded like a cleaning lady to me.

Dr.Loretta · September 2014

NMS, but it has significance to you, and in this day and age it's going to be better than Tifphany, LOL.

nmrd · September 2014

It's growing on me

magsugar13 · September 2014

i like it

Beevol · September 2014

It's nms and I'd never heard of it as a name before, but I gave my kid a name that's a family-name-and-incredibly-popular-in-my-country-of-origin-but-not-here-and-most-people-probably-think-it's-made-up, so, if you love it, go for it.

actinup23 · September 2014

I kinda like it.I don't know if I'd have the guts to use it, but I definitely wouldn't side eye it. I was in a play with a character with that name once and I thought it was unusual and cool.

PhilsWife07 · September 2014

My opinion: It's a mouthful and I wouldn't use Sophie as a nickname for it. The pronunciation was intuitive for me as well. Also, I just don't like it.

Caraluvs · September 2014

I would use it as a middle name.

macchiatto · September 2014

I don't really like the sound of it, unfortunately. I'm not sure quite what it is. I do love Sophia and Seraphina; something about the "phronia" is off-putting to me.

BananaLettuce · September 2014

I actually like it. It doesn't sound made up to me. I'd at least use it as a middle name.

oliversbear · September 2014

I have no doubts it's a legit name, but it looks far too much like the word sophomore to me. And that was how I first pronounced it. I'm pretty sure I'd not be the only person to make that mistake.

I'd use it as a middle name.

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