Old names have never intrigued young parents so much. Between modern creations and retro references, births are scattered: the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) has identified 65,940 different first names given in 2025. In this proliferation, a star female first name from the 70s, given 11,210 times in 1971, reappears timidly with only 285 little girls in 2025. On TikTok, the first names worn by our grandparents have their say again.
This first name is Sophie. For many, it reminds of a cousin from the 80s; in 2026, it becomes above all a discreet, readable and increasingly rare choice. Sophie’s popularity has collapsed since its peak in the seventies, while leading names like Louise reach 3,070 births in 2025 according to INSEE. This is why some parents are rediscovering it with curiosity.
First name Sophie: thousands of births yesterday, 285 babies in 2025
According to the INSEE First Name File, the first name Sophie experienced its golden age in the early 1970s, with more than 11,000 births in certain years, including 11,210 in 1971. In 2025, there are only 285 little Sophies left, far from the 3,070 Louises who occupy first place. INSEE observes in its Insee Première study n°2127 that “first names have an increasingly short popularity cycle”.
This sudden fall does not mean that Sophie has disappeared, but that the landscape of first names has fragmented. INSEE recalls that in 2025, 65,940 different first names were given in France, which mechanically reduces the share of each first name. In this saturated context, a classic and familiar first name like Sophie becomes a sought-after compromise: rare enough for the child to stand out, well-known enough to reassure the family.
Sophie: a “wisdom” first name that has become vintage and reassuring
The first name Sophie comes from the Greek “sophia” and means “wisdom”. This serious dimension appeals to many parents who are looking for a gentle feminine first name, without frills or complicated spellings. Descriptions often present Sophie as “gentle and caring”. With her, conflict has no place, which nourishes a calming image rather appreciated at the moment.
The renewed interest in this vintage first name can also be heard on TikTok, where videos of lists of “grandparent’s names” are enjoying real success. Sophie then ticks several boxes at once: emotional memory of a grandmother, retro first name that is very readable at school, and a simple sound that crosses generations.
Sophie, Sophia or Sofia: what do parents choose today?
Opposite Sophie, the Sophia or Sofia variants appeal to those who want a more international touch. However, the French form remains the most widespread in the long term. In 2025, Sophie remains a rare but known first namecapable of offering a baby a unique identity without placing him against the grain of his times.