Saphira is a unique and beautiful feminine given name of Hebrew origin. Its meaning is derived from the Hebrew word "sapphire," which refers to the precious gemstone known for its deep blue color. In Jewish tradition, the sapphire is one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron, representing the tribe of Issachar.
The name Saphira first appears in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is the name of a woman whose husband Ananias fraudulently offered money to the apostles. The couple's deceit led to their demise, with Saphira dying instantly after lying to Peter about her contribution. This biblical story has contributed to the name Saphira being associated with themes of honesty and integrity.
Despite its biblical associations, Saphira remains a rare and distinctive name today. It is not listed among the top 1000 most popular baby names in recent years, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique moniker for their daughter. With its beautiful Hebrew origin and meaningful gemstone connection, Saphira stands out as an elegant and captivating name option.
The name Saphira has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, there were only 5 babies named Saphira each year between 1996 and 1999. However, starting in 2007, the number of annual births with this name began to rise dramatically.
In 2007, there were 130 babies named Saphira, marking a significant jump from previous years. The following year, 2008, saw an even greater increase with 145 babies being given the name. This trend continued through 2012 when there were 131 births.
However, since 2013, the popularity of the name Saphira has fluctuated somewhat but remains consistently high compared to earlier years. Between 2013 and 2023, the annual number of births with this name ranged from a low of 104 in 2023 to a high of 143 in 2017.
In total, over the period from 1996 to 2023, there have been 2,105 babies named Saphira born in the United States. This demonstrates that while once rare, the name Saphira has become increasingly common and popular among parents choosing names for their daughters in recent years.