Azure
Primarily a girl's name of Old French origin with 1,657 recorded births. Also given to 412 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Azure is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the Old French azur, from the Arabic lāzaward (the lapis lazuli stone from Lāzhward, Afghanistan), ultimately meaning 'sky blue' — the vivid, bright blue of a clear sky or lapis lazuli.
Azure is the word artists use for the most perfect blue — the color of Mediterranean skies, lapis lazuli inlay in Egyptian pharaoh's tombs, and the heraldic tincture of French royal shields. As a name it's rare and painterly — a color name of extraordinary beauty.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Azure is rooted in the Old French tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1975 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Azure’s 1,657 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Azure was #3502 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4773, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 102 | #6675 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 302 | #4754 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 398 | #3733 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 281 | #3973 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 230 | #3827 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 344 | #1741 | — |
The Story of Azure
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1975, Azure is a Gen X staple. Girls named Azure are most likely born between 1975 and 1985.
How rare is Azure?
Only about 1 in every 128,571 babies born in 2024 was named Azure — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 398 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Azure by the numbers
- Would fill 35 school buses
- Meeting one Azure per day would take 4.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(50 years, 1975–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | #4773 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8115 |
| 2022 | 23 | #5484 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4630 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10371 |
| 2019 | 30 | #4554 |
| 2018 | 25 | #5183 |
| 2017 | 33 | #4311 |
| 2016 | 26 | #5155 |
| 2015 | 35 | #4156 |
| 2014 | 19 | #6490 |
| 2013 | 29 | #4775 |
| 2012 | 32 | #4510 |
| 2011 | 29 | #4823 |
| 2010 | 44 | #3580 |
| 2009 | 42 | #3748 |
| 2008 | 38 | #4102 |
| 2007 | 46 | #3541 |
| 2006 | 34 | #4273 |
| 2005 | 44 | #3411 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Azure as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Azure has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 412 births since 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azure a boy's or girl's name?
When was Azure most popular?
How popular is the name Azure?
Can Azure be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2024