Sapphire Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Sapphire has Greek origins, meaning 'gemstone' or 'precious stone.' It has evolved through various languages, including Hebrew and Latin, reflecting its significance in both culture and history. The name is associated with beauty and elegance, and it holds biblical relevance as a symbol of divinity. Sapphire has gained popularity over the centuries, particularly in European nobility, and continues to be viewed positively in modern times.
The name Sapphire is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Sapphire has been stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Sapphire' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15428th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2466th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1950th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1191st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Sapphire' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Sapphire"
Pronunciation
/ˈsæfaɪər/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Sapphire is derived from the Greek word 'sappheiros,' which referred to the blue gemstone. The term has roots in the Hebrew word 'sappir' and the Latin 'sapphirus,' both of which also mean 'sapphire.'
Meaning
gemstone, precious stone
Language Evolution
Old French: saphir, Latin: sapphirus, Greek: sappheiros, Hebrew: sappir
Biblical Background
In the Bible, sapphire is mentioned as one of the stones in the breastplate of the High Priest and is also associated with the divine presence.
Historical Usage
Sapphire has been a popular name since the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, where it was often associated with royalty and nobility due to the gemstone's value and beauty.
Variants & Derivatives
Sapphira, Sapphi, Sapphirea
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Sapphire is often perceived as a luxurious and elegant name, commonly associated with beauty and rarity due to its connection to the gemstone.
Famous People
Sapphire, author of 'Push,' which was adapted into the film 'Precious.', Sapphire, a prominent figure in contemporary literature.
Explore More Sapphire Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Sapphire"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Sapphire"
"Sapphire" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15428th of 19264 | 12 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2466th of 27321 | 750 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1950th of 35406 | 1,584 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1191st of 30306 | 2,460 |
Regional Popularity of "Sapphire" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Sapphire" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
77.96% 2873rd/3685 |
38.32% 1715th/4475 |
49.83% 2588th/5194 |
41.71% 2635th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
48.84% 2238th/4582 |
29.28% 1512th/5164 |
29.35% 2146th/7313 |
30.90% 2306th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
27.46% 1094th/3984 |
25.59% 1148th/4487 |
19.25% 1313th/6822 |
21.51% 1350th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Sapphire"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Sapphire" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.