NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Saphina

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "beautiful jewel".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Saphina is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Saphina popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5730, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.

This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 to 2015. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Saphina. 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 2016 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Saphina ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Saphina.
  • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Saphina as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5730

2015

Births in 2015

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

3 births

Estimated living

12

2026

Meaning

What does Saphina mean?

The name Saphina is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, derived from the word "safa," which means clarity, purity, or serenity. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Middle Eastern cultures and the Islamic tradition.

In Arabic, the name Saphina is often associated with the concept of a ship or vessel, as the word "safina" means a boat or an ark. This connection to maritime vessels and journeys across the sea may have given the name a symbolic meaning of safety, protection, and navigation through life's challenges.

The earliest recorded use of the name Saphina can be found in various historical texts and literature from the medieval Islamic world. One notable example is the epic poem "Qissat Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan," written in the 10th century, which features a character named Saphina.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Saphina. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Saphina al-Andalusiyya, a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar who lived in the 11th century. Her poetic works and contributions to literature have left a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of the Iberian Peninsula.

Another prominent figure was Saphina bint al-Hasan, a respected scholar and teacher who lived in Baghdad during the 12th century. She was known for her expertise in various fields, including Islamic jurisprudence, hadith (prophetic traditions), and Arabic literature.

In the 13th century, Saphina al-Dimashqiyya, a Syrian scholar and writer, gained recognition for her works on Islamic mysticism and spiritual teachings. Her writings influenced the Sufi tradition and provided insights into the spiritual aspects of the Islamic faith.

During the Ottoman era, Saphina Hatun was a prominent figure in the 16th century. She was a skilled calligrapher and artist, renowned for her intricate calligraphic works and illuminated manuscripts, which are now preserved in various museums and collections around the world.

Another notable figure was Saphina al-Qazwiniyya, a Persian scholar and poet who lived in the 17th century. Her literary works, particularly her poetic compositions, were highly acclaimed and contributed to the rich cultural heritage of the Persian literary tradition.

While these are just a few examples, the name Saphina has been carried by many remarkable individuals throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields, from literature and scholarship to art and spirituality.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Saphina over time

The chart below shows babies named Saphina registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Saphina, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Saphina
01223199720062015

Decades

Saphina by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Saphina 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 #5730 3 1
2000s #5545 3 1
1990s #3862 6 2

Related

Names similar to Saphina

FAQ

Saphina: questions and answers

How popular is the name Saphina in the UK right now?

In 2015, Saphina was ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Saphina most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Saphina in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Saphina?

A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "beautiful jewel".

How many people are called Saphina in the UK?

A total of 12 babies have been registered as Saphina across the 4 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.