The famous cathedral built in Constantinople is named which spelling?

The famous cathedral built in Constantinople is named which spelling?

• A. Hagia Sofia
• B. Hagia Sophia
• C. Saint Sophia
• D. St. Sophia

Answer: (A)

Spelling choices here come from how Greek names get rendered into English. Hagia comes from the Greek for “holy,” and Sofia (also seen as Sophia) means “wisdom.” English renderings of this name vary, and the form with Sofia is a common transliteration that preserves the same meaning and referent as the version with Sophia. In this context, Hagia Sofia points to the same famous cathedral built in Constantinople, conveying the traditional title rather than treating it as a saint’s name. The other forms would suggest a saint named Sophia rather than the building’s established name, which is why they don’t fit the intended reference.

Spelling choices here come from how Greek names get rendered into English. Hagia comes from the Greek for “holy,” and Sofia (also seen as Sophia) means “wisdom.” English renderings of this name vary, and the form with Sofia is a common transliteration that preserves the same meaning and referent as the version with Sophia. In this context, Hagia Sofia points to the same famous cathedral built in Constantinople, conveying the traditional title rather than treating it as a saint’s name. The other forms would suggest a saint named Sophia rather than the building’s established name, which is why they don’t fit the intended reference.