Definition of "Sophi"

Others derive Sophi from the Sophi or Sages anciently called Magi.

1728, Ephraim Chambers, editor, Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, 1st edition, volume 2, London: printed for J. and J. Knapton [et al.], page 97

The Safavid shahs were commonly termed by Western writers "Sophie", "Sophy", "Sophi" or "Soffi". All these terms were probably corruptions of Ṣafī, the name of the founder of the Safavid Order, rather than of Ṣūfī, as the Safavid supporters called themselves.

1980, Roger Savory, Iran under the Safavids, Cambridge [u.a.]: Cambridge University Press, published 2007, page 259