'Sophocles' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the name 'Σοφοκλῆς' (Sophoklês), where 'σοφός' ('sophos') meant 'wise' and 'κλέος' ('kleos') meant 'glory'.

'Sophocles' passed into Latin unchanged as 'Sophocles' and then into Medieval and Modern English usage via classical and ecclesiastical Latin; the modern English form comes directly from these classical transmissions.

Initially the compound name conveyed the sense 'wise glory' (a descriptive personal name); over time it has been preserved as a proper name referring specifically to the historical playwright rather than a descriptive phrase.