Sonya is a beautiful and elegant name of Slavic origin, particularly popular among Russian and Bulgarian cultures. It is derived from the Greek word 'Sophia', which means wisdom. In Russian, it is often translated as Sonya, while in Bulgarian, it is spelled Соня but pronounced similarly. This name has gained worldwide recognition due to its association with prominent figures like the famous Russian writer, Sonnyi Tolstoy, who was a central character in Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace". Despite its Slavic roots, Sonya has been embraced by many cultures globally, making it a timeless choice for parents seeking an exquisite yet accessible name for their daughters.
"Sonya was quite popular as a baby girl name from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, peaking in 1971 with 18 births that year. After that, its popularity declined significantly, with fewer than 10 births per year until it leveled off around 5 births per year from the late 1980s onwards."