"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession."
Biblical Name · Aramaic/Greek Origin
Sapphira Meaning in the Bible
Sapphira
girl
Sapphira means "Beautiful; Sapphire", a girl's name of Aramaic/Greek origin. Sapphira appears in the King James Bible, and Acts 5:1 is the passage most often tied to it. Sapphira's story teaches that God values integrity over appearance — beautiful names and generous gestures mean nothing without honest hearts.
Is Sapphira in the Bible?
Yes — Sapphira appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 5:1.
Pronunciation:/suh-FY-ruh/
OriginAramaic/Greek
MeaningBeautiful; Sapphire
What does Sapphira mean?
Sapphira is a girl name of Aramaic/Greek origin meaning "Beautiful; Sapphire". Sapphira and her husband Ananias sold property and secretly kept back part of the price while claiming to give it all. Their story is a sobering warning about hypocrisy and lying to the Holy Spirit.
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Editor’s reflection
A beautiful name attached to the sharpest warning in the early church.
Sapphira (Greek Σάπφειρα) comes from the same root as sapphire — Aramaic shappira, 'beautiful,' overlapping with the Greek sappheiros, the blue gem listed in the foundations of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:19. On sound and meaning alone it is one of the loveliest names in the New Testament.
Acts 5 is why it is almost never used. Sapphira and her husband Ananias sell a possession, keep back part of the price by agreement, and present the rest as though it were the whole. Peter's rebuke names the real offence: 'thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.' The land was theirs to keep or sell; the lie about it was not. Both die, and 'great fear came upon all the church' (Acts 5:11).
The passage is not about money so much as about pretending before God in a community that had just begun sharing everything. Sapphira is the rarer half of the pair — Ananias at least shares a name with the disciple who baptised Paul in Acts 9 — and the gem, spelled Sapphire, is the version parents actually use.
“Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?”
What does Sapphira mean in the Bible?
Sapphira means "Beautiful; Sapphire" and is a name of Aramaic/Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Sapphira and her husband Ananias sold property and secretly kept back part of the price while claiming to give it all. Their story is a sobering warning about hypocrisy and lying to the Holy Spirit. Despite its beauty, the name carries a cautionary tale about integrity.
Where does Sapphira appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Sapphira is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Acts 5:1. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?"
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What are the variants and nicknames of Sapphira?
Sapphira has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Sapphira?
Sapphira is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Sapphira?
Sapphira's story teaches that God values integrity over appearance — beautiful names and generous gestures mean nothing without honest hearts.
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What names are related to Sapphira?
Names that pair well with Sapphira
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Barnabas
boy
"Son of encouragement; Son of consolation"
Sapphira & Barnabas
Thaddeus
boy
"Courageous heart; Praise"
Sapphira & Thaddeus
Thaddeus
boy
"Courageous heart; Praise"
Sapphira & Thaddeus
Abraham
boy
"Father of many nations"
Sapphira & Abraham
Abraham
boy
"Father of many nations"
Sapphira & Abraham
Absalom
boy
"Father of peace"
Sapphira & Absalom
Share the meaning of Sapphira
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Sapphira name meaning: frequently asked questions
Effectively yes. The name comes from the Aramaic shappira, 'beautiful,' and is bound up with the Greek sappheiros, the blue stone named in Exodus 28:18 and Revelation 21:19. The meaning is pleasant; the association with Acts 5 is what keeps the name rare among Christian families.
Yes — Sapphira appears in the King James Bible, including Acts 5:1.
Sapphira means "Beautiful; Sapphire." It is an Aramaic/Greek name. The King James Bible uses it in Acts 5:1, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Sapphira
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Sapphira?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Sapphira?
You can read every verse where Sapphira appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.