UK girl's name
Saphir
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "sapphire" or "blue stone".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2002. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Saphir is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Saphir popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2002 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4137, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2002 to 2002. 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.
Saphir is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Saphir. 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 2003 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Saphir ranked #4137 for girls in England and Wales in 2002, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 3 girls were registered as Saphir.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Saphir as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4137
2002
Births in 2002
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Saphir mean?
The name Saphir is derived from the French word "saphir" which means "sapphire." This gemstone has been prized for its vibrant blue hue since ancient times. The name has its roots in the Greek word "sappheiros" which can be traced back to the Hebrew word "sappir" and the Sanskrit word "sauriram."
Historically, the name Saphir has been associated with wealth, royalty, and nobility due to the rarity and value of the sapphire stone. In ancient times, sapphires were believed to possess mystical powers and were often worn by kings and rulers as a symbol of their authority.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Saphir can be found in the Book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible, where it is mentioned as one of the precious stones adorning the breastplate of the High Priest. However, it is unclear if this reference was specifically to the name Saphir or to the gemstone itself.
In terms of notable individuals throughout history, one of the earliest known bearers of the name Saphir was Saphir ibn al-Asad (1165-1242), a renowned Arabic poet and scholar from Andalusia, Spain. His poetry and literary works played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of his time.
Another notable figure was Saphir ben Jacob (1822-1886), a German-Jewish writer and satirist who was known for his witty and satirical works. He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time and his works often addressed social and political issues.
In the 20th century, Saphir Amar (1920-2007) was a prominent Tunisian artist and sculptor. Her works, often inspired by traditional Tunisian art and culture, gained international recognition and are displayed in museums around the world.
Saphir Jamel (1937-2020) was a renowned Algerian writer and playwright. His works explored themes of identity, colonialism, and the struggle for independence in Algeria. He was awarded numerous literary honors and his plays were widely performed in Algeria and beyond.
Saphir Sliti (born 1957) is a Tunisian film director and screenwriter. Her films have tackled societal issues and have been recognized at various international film festivals, earning her critical acclaim.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Saphir, reflecting its diverse cultural and historical roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Saphir by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Saphir 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4137 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Saphir
- 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
Saphir: questions and answers
How popular is the name Saphir in the UK right now?
In 2002, Saphir was ranked #4137 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Saphir most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 3 babies registered as Saphir in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Saphir?
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "sapphire" or "blue stone".
How many people are called Saphir in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Saphir across the 1 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.