Where does sapphire get its name?

Answer 1

From the Online Etymolgy Dictionary: 1272, from Old French saphir (12c.), from Latin sapphirus(cf. Spanish zafir, Italian zaffiro), from Greek sappheiros "blue stone" (the gem meant apparently was not the one that now has the name, but perhaps rather "lapis lazuli," the modern sapphire perhaps signified by Greek hyakinthos), from a Semitic source (cf. Hebrew sappir "sapphire"), but probably not ultimatetly from Semitic; some linguists propose an origin in Sanskrit sanipriya, a dark precious stone (perhaps sapphire or emerald), literally "sacred to Saturn," from Sani "Saturn" + priyah "precious." (I spelled out the Language names that were abbreviated and highlighted them with bold lettering).

Answer 2

The name "sapphire" comes from the Latin word "sapphirus," which originally referred to the blue stone lapis lazuli. Over time, the name became associated specifically with the gemstone we know today as sapphire, which is a variety of the mineral corundum.