The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Sonja!

Comments and insights on the name Sonja: | Edit

pronounced SOHN-yah or SAWN-yah

Personal experiences with the name Sonja: | Edit

I love my name! But if you are particular about pronounciation, beware! I go by the long O sound sOHn-ya. Yet, I find that some regions of people cannot even hear the difference between sOHn-ya and sAWn-ya. Also, I think the "j" is awesome. Much more unique the the common "y". But if you spell it with a "J" many people will pronounce the end "JA" instead of changing it to the "Y" sound. Of course, I know some of you prefer it this way too as I have met sAWn-Jas before also. So, overall, I have learned to just respond to all variations with a smile. :)

Nicknames for Sonja: | Edit

Simba, Song-ya, Sonja, Sonj (the latter two affectionately pronounced with the "j" as in English), Soho

I go by Sony (like the playstation). Have also heard Sunny/Sonny.

Meanings and history of the name Sonja: | Edit

Variant of Greek Sophia, means "wisdom"

Famous real-life people named Sonja: | Edit

Sonja Henie (April 8, 1912 - October 12, 1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and actress. She is a three-time Olympic Champion (1928, 1932, 1936), a ten-time World Champion (1927-1936) and a six-time European Champion (1931-1936). Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies figure skater. At the height of her acting career she was one of the highest paid movie stars in Hollywood. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja_Henie)

Queen Sonja of Norway (née Sonja Haraldsen, born 4 July 1937 in Oslo) is the queen consort of Norway, wife of King Harald V of Norway. She is styled HM The Queen. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Sonja_of_Norway)

Sonja in song, story & screen: | Edit

Sonja Henie (April 8, 1912 - October 12, 1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and actress. She is a three-time Olympic Champion (1928, 1932, 1936), a ten-time World Champion (1927-1936) and a six-time European Champion (1931-1936). Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies figure skater. At the height of her acting career she was one of the highest paid movie stars in Hollywood. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja_Henie)

Sonja is a fictional character from the Underworld series of films. This character is the daughter of the vampire elder Viktor, introduced by flashback, in Underworld. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja_(Underworld) )

Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, is a fictional character who first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #23 (Marvel Comics). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sonja)