UK girl's name
Saffire
A feminine name derived from the precious gemstone, suggesting beauty and fiery brilliance.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Saffire is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Saffire popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 7 births.
This profile covers 42 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2002 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 42 living people in the UK are called Saffire. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Saffire ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 7 girls were registered as Saffire.
- • About 42 living people in the UK are estimated to have Saffire as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
7 births
Estimated living
42
2026
Meaning
What does Saffire mean?
The name Saffire is believed to have its origins in the Persian language, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is thought to be derived from the Persian word "safrā," which means "yellow" or "golden." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been inspired by the vibrant yellow-orange hue of the gemstone sapphire, which was highly prized in ancient Persian culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Saffire can be found in the works of the Persian poet and philosopher Hafez, who lived in the 14th century. In his poetry, Hafez made references to a beautiful woman named Saffire, which may have contributed to the name's popularity in the region.
During the Middle Ages, the name Saffire gained some prominence in Europe, particularly in regions with strong ties to the Byzantine Empire and the trade routes that connected the East and West. In these areas, the name was likely associated with the exotic allure of the sapphire gemstone and its symbolic associations with wisdom, nobility, and divine grace.
One notable historical figure who bore the name Saffire was Saffire of Arles, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. According to legend, Saffire was a young woman who refused to renounce her faith and was subsequently tortured and executed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
In the 16th century, Saffire Valenti, an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, gained recognition for her support of Renaissance artists and writers. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and influential social circles.
Another notable bearer of the name was Saffire Hawkins, an American blues singer and songwriter who lived from 1909 to 1988. Hawkins was a pioneering figure in the St. Louis blues scene and was renowned for her powerful vocal style and emotionally charged performances.
In more recent times, the name Saffire has been associated with the sapphire gemstone and its symbolism of truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. While the name remains relatively uncommon, its unique sound and exotic origins have contributed to its enduring appeal across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Saffire over time
The chart below shows babies named Saffire registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Saffire, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Saffire by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Saffire was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4884 | 21 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3961 | 21 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Saffire
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Saffire: questions and answers
How popular is the name Saffire in the UK right now?
In 2017, Saffire was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Saffire most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 7 babies registered as Saffire in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Saffire?
A feminine name derived from the precious gemstone, suggesting beauty and fiery brilliance.
How many people are called Saffire in the UK?
A total of 42 babies have been registered as Saffire across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.