The name Azure is a unisex name that can be used for both girls and boys. It comes from the English word “azure” meaning “sky blue”. The name has been growing in popularity in recent years for both genders. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history and background of the name Azure and examine whether it leans more towards being a female or male name.
Origin and Meaning
The word “azure” originated from the Persian word “lāžvard” meaning “blue”. This word was borrowed into Old French as “lazur” and eventually made its way into Middle English as “azure”. The English word referred specifically to the deep blue color of a clear sky. The use as a name likely started as a reference to the beautiful blue color rather than the actual sky.
So while the meaning and inspiration behind the name is rooted in the tranquil blue sky, the name Azure itself refers primarily to the color blue rather than directly linking to the sky or heavens. This gives the name a slightly more gender-neutral connotation than names that directly reference sky, air or heaven.
Popularity for Girls
Looking at current naming trends, Azure is more predominantly used for girls than boys in English-speaking countries. It ranks within the top 1000 names for girls in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
According to Social Security Administration data, Azure was the 887th most popular girl’s name in the US in 2021. Approximately 0.026% of female births were given the name that year. The name has been rising rapidly for girls, up from #1603 in 2011.
In Australia, Azure charted at #978 for girls in 2020. In New Zealand, it ranked #823 for girls in 2020. And in Canada’s Quebec province it was #972 for girls in 2020.
So while not yet a common name, Azure is gaining traction as a feminine name choice in English-speaking Western countries. Its melodic sound and association with the serene blue sky makes it an appealing choice for baby girls.
Popularity for Boys
The name Azure is currently not ranking within the top 1000 most popular boy’s names in any English-speaking country. However, it is still being used in low numbers for male births.
In the US in 2021, only 22 baby boys were given the name Azure. That’s compared to 237 baby girls, making it nearly 10 times more common for females.
However, the name has seen some growth for boys in the last decade. Back in 2011 in the US, only 5 baby boys were named Azure. So while still rare overall, Azure is gaining a little traction for American boys.
The statistics are similar in other English-speaking countries, with Azure ranking well below the top 1000 boy’s names. In the UK in 2020, only 11 boys were named Azure compared to 43 girls. And in New Zealand in 2020, only 5 boys received the name Azure versus 16 girls.
So while the current numbers favor it as a girl’s name, Azure is starting to be used in minor numbers for boys as well. The soft sound and colorful meaning of the name give it some crossover potential as a rare unisex choice.
Celebrity Babies
Looking at celebrity usage can provide more insight into how Azure leans as a boy or girl name. In recent years, three celebrity babies have been given the distinctive name Azure.
In 2019, actor Shay Mitchell named her newborn daughter Atlas Noa. The middle name Noa means “sky” or “cloud” in Hebrew. So the combination of Atlas and Noa reflect the celestial blue sky.
Also in 2019, professional wakeboarder Steel Lafferty and his wife Sarah named their baby girl Azure Riley Lafferty. The middle name Riley means “courageous” and “valiant”.
And in 2020, actress Jenna von Oy, best known from the show Blossom, named her daughter Azure Lee Dempsey. The middle name Lee has English roots meaning “meadow” or “clearing”.
The examples from celebrity baby name choices reinforce that Azure is primarily being used for girls currently. All three celebrities above selected Azure for their newborn daughters. The soothing sound and peaceful sky meaning of Azure lend well as a feminine name.
Alternative Spellings
The standard spelling of the name is Azure. This is by far the most common spelling and follows logically from the English word “azure”.
Some alternate spellings that can be found include:
– Azur – the French spelling
– Azura – an elaboration of Azure
– Azora – a creative spin with a similar sound
– Azira – a unique spelling variant
While these creative spellings give some different options, the traditional spelling of Azure remains the most widely used and recognized. The standard spelling ranks within the top 1000 female names while the alternate spellings fall below the top 1000.
Gender Ratios
Examining exact gender ratios provides helpful data on how strongly Azure skews between male and female usage currently.
In the US in 2021, the breakdown of babies named Azure was:
– 91% girls
– 9% boys
That means for every 11 baby girls named Azure, there was only 1 baby boy given the name.
The ratios look similar in other English-speaking countries. In New Zealand in 2020, the percentages were:
– 76% girls
– 24% boys
And in British Columbia, Canada in 2020 they were:
– 88% girls
– 12% boys
So while the name is occasionally used for boys, the clear majority of babies being named Azure, between 76-91%, are female. The numbers reinforce that Azure is predominately favored as a feminine name at this point in time.
Opinions on Unisex Usage
Despite being statistically skewed towards girls right now, many baby naming experts and sources identify Azure as a gender-neutral name.
The Bump, a popular baby naming site, categorizes Azure as a name suitable for both boys and girls. They describe it as a “less common color name” with a “New Age vibe” that works for either gender.
Nameberry, another influential baby name website, also classifies Azure as unisex. Their user poll found that 73% of respondents viewed Azure as usable for both boys and girls.
Behind the Name, a baby name dictionary site, denotes Azure as feminine but with minor masculine usage as well. They note that while historically Azure has been nearly exclusively female, the recent statistics indicate increasing numbers for boys year-over-year.
So while Azure is currently statistically more common for girls, many naming experts endorse Azure as a rare unisex choice suitable for boys and girls. The soft sound, color meaning and celestial association give it flexible appeal.
Famous Men Named Azure
To provide examples of Azure used for boys, here are a few famous male figures that have borne the name:
– Azure Ray (band) – American dream pop duo founded in 2001
– Azure Parsons – graphic novel artist and comic book illustrator
– Azure Antoinette – American rapper and singer from Texas
While limited examples, these instances of Azure used for high-profile men demonstrate the name’s potential as a masculine choice. The rarity and distinctive color meaning offer an unconventional option for boys.
Gender Conclusions
| Factor | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Current popularity rankings | Within top 1000 for girls in US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand | Below top 1000 for boys |
| Celebrity baby usage | Used for daughters of Shay Mitchell, Steel Lafferty and Jenna von Oy | No instances found |
| Gender ratios | 76-91% girls | 9-24% boys |
| Expert opinions | Identified as feminine but with unisex potential | Identified as feminine but with unisex potential |
In conclusion, while the name Azure is statistically more common for girls at present, it has unisex potential for boys as well. The soft sound, color association, and peaceful sky meaning give it flexible appeal. With its rising popularity, Azure works well for parents seeking an uncommon, gender-neutral name for either a son or daughter. It manages to be feminine yet carry some spunk and edge for boys. Ultimately Azure falls in a grey area between male and female and can be an intriguing option for parents no matter the gender of their baby.
Summary of Key Points
– Azure originated as the name for the tranquil blue color rather than the actual sky. This gives it a more gender-neutral meaning than sky or heaven names.
– Azure currently ranks in the top 1000 girl’s names in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand but does not rank for boys.
– In 2021 in the US, 91% of babies named Azure were girls versus just 9% boys. The stats are similar in other English-speaking countries.
– Despite being statistically skewed feminine, many naming experts identify Azure as a rare unisex name suitable for boys and girls.
– The soft sound, colorful imagery and celestial association give Azure flexible appeal as an unconventional gender-neutral name.
Conclusion
The evidence shows that Azure is currently skewed towards feminine usage, ranking predominantly as a girl’s name and with higher percentages of female babies being given the name. However, many experts endorse Azure as a unisex choice suitable for boys as well, just currently more uncommon. The distinctive imagery and daring vibe give it potential as a gender-neutral name. So while favored as a girl’s name for now, Azure walks the line between male and female and can work for parents seeking an unusual, bold pick for a son or daughter. Its cross-gender versatility and celestial mystique are sure to keep it rising in popularity.
