"precious blue gemstone"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Sapphire
Pronunciation: [ s-AF-eye-er ]
Girl Name
#1,037 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A gemstone name as rare and brilliant as its stone
English
American
British
Bold
Unique
Elegant
Earthy
Spiritual
Meaning & Origin
"dear to Saturn"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
The Story of Sapphire
Sapphire comes from the Greek sappheiros and Latin sapphirus, derived from the Sanskrit sanipriya meaning dear to Saturn. The deep blue gemstone has been prized since antiquity — ancient Persians believed the sky was a giant sapphire reflecting its color onto the heavens. As a given name, Sapphire follows the Victorian tradition of gemstone names, sitting alongside Ruby, Pearl, and Opal.
Sapphire as a name gained traction through the gemstone name trend of the late 20th century. The author who writes as Sapphire brought the name literary credibility through the novel Push, adapted as the film Precious in 2009.
Sapphires are the birthstone for September and are associated with wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. Prince Charles gave Princess Diana a sapphire engagement ring, later given by Prince William to Kate Middleton.
Fun Facts
- Sapphires are the second hardest natural substance after diamonds
- The Kashmir sapphire is considered the rarest and most valuable variety in the world
Sapphire in Other Languages
Arabic
ياقوت
French
Saphir
Italian
Zaffiro
Spanish
Zafiro
Japanese
サファイア
Famous People Named Sapphire
S
Sapphire Fictional
Other
1950
Character from Steven Universe — a Gem known for her calm demeanor and future vision
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,037
- Total SSA Count
- 242
- Cultural Origins
- English American British
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sapphy
Saph
Pairs Well With
Sapphire Rose
Sapphire Jane
Sapphire Mae
Sapphire Blue
Sapphire Grace
Sapphire Iris
Sapphire Wren
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sapphire
What does the name Sapphire mean?
"precious blue gemstone" (from Greek). "dear to Saturn" (from Sanskrit). Sapphire comes from the Greek sappheiros and Latin sapphirus, derived from the Sanskrit sanipriya meaning dear to Saturn. The deep blue gemstone has been prized since antiquity — ancient Persians believed the sky was a giant sapphire reflecting its color onto the heavens. As a given name, Sapphire follows the Victorian tradition of gemstone names, sitting alongside Ruby, Pearl, and Opal.
What is the origin of the name Sapphire?
Sapphire has Greek, Sanskrit, English, American, and British origins. In Greek, it means "precious blue gemstone". In Sanskrit, it means "dear to Saturn".
Is Sapphire a boy or girl name?
Sapphire is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sapphire?
Sapphire is pronounced s-AF-eye-er.
How popular is the name Sapphire?
Sapphire is currently ranked #1037 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sapphire?
Common nicknames for Sapphire include Sapphy and Saph.
What are good middle names for Sapphire?
Popular middle name pairings include Sapphire Rose, Sapphire Jane, Sapphire Mae, Sapphire Blue, Sapphire Grace, Sapphire Iris, and Sapphire Wren.
What are good sibling names for Sapphire?
Names that pair well with Sapphire as siblings include Ruby, Jade, Pearl, Jasper, Opal, Garnet, Amber, and Scarlett.
How many syllables does Sapphire have?
Sapphire has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Sapphire a common or rare name?
Sapphire is an uncommon name, ranked #1037 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Sapphire
Sapphire is a girl name with English, American, and British origins . The name means "precious blue gemstone" in Greek .
Sapphire is currently ranked #1,037 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Sapphire has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-AF-eye-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Sapphire include Sapphy and Saph. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Sapphire include Sapphira . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.