Sephra
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 40 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Sephra hit its peak of 9 births in 1995, the internet was beginning to expose parents to a wider world of naming options, and pop culture influence on baby names was at an all-time high.
Today, Sephra reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Sephra is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Sephra is a girl's baby name, a variant spelling of Sephora or Zipporah — from the Hebrew Tzipporah, meaning 'bird' or 'sparrow.' In the Bible, Zipporah was the wife of Moses, making the name one with deep scriptural roots. The Sephra spelling suggests Greek influence, where the Z sound sometimes transliterates as S.
Light and lyrical, Sephra has a slightly mystical quality that appeals to parents drawn to biblical names that feel less worn than mainstream choices.
EtymologyShow more
Sephra is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Hebrew naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Sephra creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sephra has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | #18316 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 19 | #13461 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 16 | #12032 | — |
The Story of Sephra
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1995, Sephra is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Sephra are most likely born between 1985 and 2004.
How rare is Sephra?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sephra is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1980, peaked in the 1990s with 19 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 1980–2004)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | #18316 |
| 1997 | 5 | #15670 |
| 1995 | 9 | #9400 |
| 1993 | 5 | #15313 |
| 1988 | 6 | #11480 |
| 1987 | 5 | #12837 |
| 1980 | 5 | #11778 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sephra a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sephra most popular?
How popular is the name Sephra?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1980–2004