I find it interesting how her worshippers simply referred her as "goddess" yet now she's named Sophia. I can't help but wonder if her name was purposefully named "Sophia" by the Allagans in order to differentiate her from Azeyma, whom they once worshipped.

At the very least the belief of the concept of a goddess might have fueled her power. By naming her Sophia, people will at least know its not "their goddess"

And for the reason Anonymoose said, I do think that Sophia is based on the Egyptian goddess Ma'at. The skin color and clothing of both her and her adds look very similar to some ancient egyptian statues, too.