The name Saphire is of French origin and means "sapphire." It is a variant spelling of the more common Sapphire, which also derives from the French word for the precious blue gemstone sapphire. The name has gained popularity in recent years as a unique alternative to other gemstone names like Ruby or Pearl.
The history of the name Saphire is not well-documented, but it is believed to have been used sparingly throughout history. It was not until the 20th century that the name began to gain traction, likely due to its association with the beautiful blue stone. Today, Saphire is still a relatively uncommon name, but it is often chosen for its unique sound and meaning.
In some cultures, sapphires are believed to have healing properties and are associated with wisdom, truth, and faithfulness. However, there is no specific cultural or historical significance attached to the name Saphire beyond its association with the gemstone.
Despite its lack of historical precedent, the name Saphire has a certain elegance and uniqueness that makes it appealing to many parents-to-be looking for a distinctive name for their child. Whether inspired by the beautiful blue stone or simply drawn to the sound of the name, those who choose Saphire are likely to give their child a memorable and special moniker.
Based on the statistics provided, it appears that the name Saphire has seen a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States, with some periods of increased usage and others of decreased usage.
From 1987 to 1995, there were an average of about 16 births per year with this name. However, starting from 1996 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Saphire began to rise, reaching a peak in 2007 with 51 births.
After that peak, the popularity of the name started to decrease again, with an average of around 25 births per year between 2008 and 2016. There was another slight increase in popularity from 2017 to 2022, with around 19 births per year on average.
Overall, there have been a total of 884 births with the name Saphire in the United States since 1987. Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, it remains a unique and uncommon name choice for newborns.