Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Sapphira... how would you pronounce it?

32 replies

SmilePlease · 15/12/2008 18:51

My neice has this name but people have a habbit of calling her 'Safira' like the name of a car but with a 'Z'... i don't think it is a very hard to remember or pronounce. Just Sapphire but with an 'a'.

[saff - eye - ra]
Also what's your opinion of the name?
I quite like it but partner reckons it's naff.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MrsMattie · 15/12/2008 18:52

Bit naff and definite Zafira connotations.

watsthestory · 15/12/2008 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Twims · 15/12/2008 18:52

I'd say Safira like the car.

Califraukincense · 15/12/2008 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Califraukincense · 15/12/2008 18:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

2pt4WiseMen · 15/12/2008 18:54

Never heard the name before but when I read your thread title I immediately thought it was pronounced Saff - eera like the car!

Original poster
SmilePlease · 15/12/2008 18:55

So i guess nobody associates with the crystal then?

OP posts:
shitehawk · 15/12/2008 18:55

I'd say it to rhyme with the Zafira car too - that is how it should logically be pronounced, given the spelling.

And since you asked ... I think it's naff.

shitehawk · 15/12/2008 18:56

If they wanted it associated with the crystal then maybe they should have called her by the name of the crystal.

Original poster
SmilePlease · 15/12/2008 18:58

Well no not really they name it after her grandad... Sapphiri but the girls version.

I think it is horrible for the old man but pretty for a little girl.

OP posts:
NorthernLurkerwithastarontop · 15/12/2008 19:00

It's a naff name imo - and would definately pronounce it like 'Zafira'. Your poor niece's parents are kidding themselves!

Original poster
SmilePlease · 15/12/2008 19:06

Do you prefer saff-eye-rah compared to sah-fear-ra?

OP posts:
ohreindeerwhatamessysleigh · 15/12/2008 19:08

Would pronounce to rhyme with Zafira.

Don't like it myself (however it is pronounced)

Nancy66 · 15/12/2008 19:21

I would pronounce it: Saff- Fire- a
but don't like the name, bit nouveau for me.

Original poster
SmilePlease · 15/12/2008 19:29

Oh my, does anyone like the name or is it just me?

Btw, lots of people call her 'Sapphy' for short.

OP posts:
Umlellala · 15/12/2008 19:36

I like it but would assume Saf-eera unless I knew otherwise (or origins).

(My daughter is Aph or Aphy for short!)

Original poster
SmilePlease · 15/12/2008 21:12

I really like that. What's it short for Umlellala?

OP posts:
Umlellala · 15/12/2008 21:14

(Aphra, after Aphra Behn )

BikeRunSki · 15/12/2008 22:30

I thought of the mineral.

MrsBadger · 15/12/2008 22:34

I'd say Safira too

Where does the stress come in your version? The stone is SAFF-ire, so is it SAFF-eye-ra? or saff-EYE-ra?

if the latter I think people could be forgven for making the mistake.

seeker · 15/12/2008 22:39

I think most people would say Saff-ee-ra unless told otherwise. Once told, of course, they should get it right from then on. But I think it's likely that they will get it wrong first time.

RachieB · 15/12/2008 23:07

I thought Saff eee ra here too!

it is a bit naff IMO ,sorry

Original poster
SmilePlease · 16/12/2008 13:47

sorry that's SAFF-eye-ra, Mrs Badger.

OP posts:
moston · 16/12/2008 13:49

I'd say safeera like the car

I think it's a horrible name, sorry

GooseyLoosey · 16/12/2008 13:51

Yep, I would get it wrong and go for Saffeera too.