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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Is Sapphira usable …

32 replies

Dazedandbemused0 · 20/05/2023 09:56

… considering the unfortunate biblical link? (Sapphira and her husband were struck down by God for lying about money.) We are Christians if it’s relevant so not sure if that makes it worse 🤦‍♀️ Just such a beautiful sounding name with an otherwise nice meaning.

OP posts:

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PissedOffWithDailyMail · 21/05/2023 17:49

I know the story, but I think of it as the AnaniasandSapphira story. I don't think I'd connect either Ananias or Sapphira as stand alone names to the story.

berksandbeyond · 21/05/2023 17:45

I wouldn’t have made the biblical link but I would (unfortunately) think it sounds like a stripper name

Housenoob · 21/05/2023 17:44

I think Sapphire is nicer

VenusClapTrap · 21/05/2023 17:42

Vauxhall. I know a Sapphire though, and I’ve always thought that was a very pretty name.

AccidentallyFabulous · 20/05/2023 18:50

My reaction would be 'what, as in Ananias?!' I'm afraid.

There are some biblical names such as David which, yes, were characters who did some pretty dubious stuff, but his story is given much more fully and there are good bits too, so the association isn't as strong. (Also it's so common that the biblical link isn't necessarily what people think of first).

But where someone is only mentioned once, or only in one context, and for something dodgy, the association is much harder to shake off. Which is a shame when the name is beautiful.

Dedodee · 20/05/2023 18:43

MillenialAvocado · 20/05/2023 18:41

I could've written this post! I've also thought the exact same thing. It's a beautiful name but I'm also a Christian so the biblical connotation is a bit too unfortunate for me 😬 Also now others have mentioned Vauxhall Zafira I can't unhear it.

And yet David such a popular name but he was a pretty dubious character in the Old Testament.

MillenialAvocado · 20/05/2023 18:41

pizzaHeart · 20/05/2023 18:37

I didn’t get the car link at first as I wondered how to pronounce it. It’s a bit complicated name I would rather go for the version where the pronunciation was obvious.

Mamette · 20/05/2023 18:34

thesnailandthewhale · 20/05/2023 10:11

To me it sounds like Zafira (Vauxhall), sorry

Me too.

RequiresUpdating · 20/05/2023 18:34

Never heard the biblical link and I was brought up going to church weekly.
Eragon's blue dragon on the other hand...
It would go on my list for DH to veto 😂

mintbiscuit · 20/05/2023 18:32

If you love Vauxhalls go for it.

MissHavershamReturns · 20/05/2023 18:14

marshmallowmatcha · 20/05/2023 18:13

Sorry but another who had the car thing..

UnaOfStormhold · 20/05/2023 18:12

Isn't that the dragon from the Eragon books?

CurlewKate · 20/05/2023 18:07

Very frilly.....

ourflagmeansdeath · 20/05/2023 18:05

As others have said, I'd associate it with sapphires not the biblical connection. I think it's pretty personally so if you love it then go for it. 😊

WaltzingWaters · 20/05/2023 13:49

I think it’s pretty.

MrsMoastyToasty · 20/05/2023 13:36

It reminds me of the word sapphic.

shoopshoopdedoo · 20/05/2023 13:32

thesnailandthewhale · 20/05/2023 10:11

To me it sounds like Zafira (Vauxhall), sorry

Same! Presumed this is why OP thought the name may be unusable, and was going to say that I think it is unusable for this reason. I’ve not heard of the bible story.

Scirocco · 20/05/2023 13:26

Zafirah/Zafira is a beautiful name. The car association is inescapable though. (sad face emoji)

Puppers · 20/05/2023 10:48

I don’t think many people will make the biblical link. Maybe the very well versed members of your church congregation.

I would have assumed it was pronounced Saff-ear-uh which sounds like Vauxhall Zafira. I think a lot of people would probably use the same pronunciation and make the car connection. But then I would say that, because that’s just where my mind went.

DuchessOfSausage · 20/05/2023 10:41

@Pocketfullofdogtreats , Ananias and Sapphira.
@Dazedandbemused0 , I think that many would write it as Safira or Zafira, and pronounce it incorrectly as Saff-ee-ra.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 20/05/2023 10:23

Gorgeous. Is it Annias and Sapphira? I recognise the names but wouldn't connect them with a story.

CiaoBellisima · 20/05/2023 10:22

thesnailandthewhale · 20/05/2023 10:11

To me it sounds like Zafira (Vauxhall), sorry

I thought the same.

Fiddlerdragon · 20/05/2023 10:18

thesnailandthewhale · 20/05/2023 10:11

To me it sounds like Zafira (Vauxhall), sorry

I was wondering why I was picturing a car. Tbh op I wouldn’t use it myself, but it’s not a bad or silly name. If you like it then use it.

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