With Sophia’s on-demand, self-paced format, you can complete your courses on your schedule, at your pace. Sophia courses are available anytime, anywhere, and most can be accessed from any device. In Gnosticism, Sophia is a feminine figure, analogous to the soul, but also simultaneously one of the emanations of the Monad.

Understanding the Context

Gnostics held that she was the syzygy of Jesus (i.e. the Bride of Christ) and was the Holy Spirit of the Trinity. Legends about her probably arose as a result of a medieval misunderstanding of the phrase Hagia Sophia "Holy Wisdom", which is the name of a large basilica in Constantinople. What Does Sophia Mean?

Key Insights

Sophia is a Greek girl’s name meaning “wisdom.” However, the English translation barely scratches the surface of this name’s depth. It comes from the Greek word “sophía,” which was a central pillar of Hellenistic philosophy. Sophia fem. proper name, from Greek sophia "skill, knowledge of, acquaintance with; sound judgment, practical wisdom; cunning, shrewdness; philosophy," also "wisdom personified," abstract noun from sophos "wise" (see sophist). Thomas Schiplinger looks at contributors to the Sophia tradition from Solomon to the twentieth century Russian Sophiologists.

Final Thoughts

However, as the Divine Wisdom underlying all true spiritual knowledge, Sophia is to be found in almost all of the great religions and spiritual traditions of humanity. Sophia Origin and Meaning The name Sophia is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "wisdom". Sophia, which was the Number 1 girls' name in the US from 2011 to 2013, is among the top girl names in the Western World, with a sensuous sound and high-minded meaning. Sophia is often used as a girl's name. Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Sophia.