Safira

I’m so close to adding [name_f]Safira[/name_f] to my list, but have some pronunciation worries. Without looking it up how would you pronounce it?

This is my preferred pronunciation. I’m not a fan of the spelling or any other spellings. [name_f]Safira[/name_f] is it for me. What are your thoughts on the name [name_f]Safira[/name_f] in general?

I say sah-fear-ah.

Generally, the same as @amberdaydream, though because I know a few Israelis with this name, my inclination would be to use a soft r (as in Hebrew, or [name_m]French[/name_m]).

It sounds pretty to me, but reminds me of fairy tales a bit. If that is your thing, go for it!

I’ve always pronounced it suh-FYE-ruh, but I’m more familiar with the PH spelling, which is more like sapphire.

Maybe the suh-FEAR-uh pronunciation makes more sense with the F.

My mind alternatively jumps to two separate places when I see [name_f]Safira[/name_f]: the English/biblical/Greek name [name_f]Sapphira[/name_f], related to and pronounced like sapphire; and the Arabic/Hebrew name [name_f]Zafira[/name_f], prn za-fee-rah. I am never sure which is right for [name_f]Safira[/name_f] and which name it’s actually related to.

I know one [name_f]Safira[/name_f] and she pronounces her name suh-fear-uh. I think this is such a pretty, underused gem.

Thank you everyone! I’m glad to see that the majority lean towards my preferred pronunciation. It’s such a relief since I"m majorly crushing on [name_f]Safira[/name_f]. I haven’t been so close to dropping a name because of I like the ‘wrong’ pronunciation since [name_m]Alaric[/name_m]! At least with [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] I’ve grown to love the correct pronunciation. :slight_smile:

I would assume it’s from the Hebrew origin and pronounce is suh-FEAR-uh. I think it’s beautiful!

I’d assume Sa-FY-rah (where FY rhymes with ‘my’) as this was the 19th century pronunciation (apparently); but if corrected, I’d easily remember sa-fee-rah

I would say sa-[name_u]FEE[/name_u]-ra but I guess it could also be pronounced sa-FYE-ra like ‘eye’. I like either pronounciation, but any child with this name will always have to tell people how to say it.

suh-FYE-ruh for me as well.

I first read it as Suh-Fye-ruh as well