Zaffiro

Zaffiro is the Italian word for 'sapphire'. The word itself derives from the Latin 'sapphirus', which in turn comes from the Greek 'sappheiros'. The Greek term likely referred to lapis lazuli rather than what we now call sapphire, as true sapphires were less common in ancient Greece. Over time, the meaning shifted to the blue gemstone we recognize today.

As a given name, Zaffiro is quite rare. It is primarily used in Italy, often as a surname, but occasionally adopted as a unique first name, sometimes for its beautiful sound and association with the precious gem. Its unisex usage stems from its nature as a word name, not inherently gendered in Italian.