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Sapphire

Girl name · 70 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Sapphire: 70 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 7 births in 2012.

Sapphire comes from the Greek *sappheiros*, a blue gemstone that may trace further back to a Semitic word meaning “precious stone.” The name became a jewel-like choice in English-speaking families from the 19th century onward. The most prominent bearer is Sapphire, the pen name of American author Ramona Lofton, whose novel *Push* was adapted into the film *Precious*. In Scotland, the name has never been common, but it appears steadily on birth registers from the 1970s – perhaps attracted by its vivid colour and the enduring pull of gemstone names. As the birthstone for September, it carries a quiet, glittering appeal. A notable variant is Saphira, which echoes the ancient Hebrew *sappīr* and appears in fantasy literature, most famously as the dragon in Christopher Paolini’s *Eragon* series.