Sable

♂ Boy

Pronounced SAY-bul /ˈseɪ.bəl/High

Meaning: From the English word sable, borrowed through Old French from a Slavic word for the marten whose dark fur was prized in medieval Europe. In heraldry sable means simply 'black'. As a given name it is a word-name and leans strongly toward girls, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A word-name with a dark shine: sable is a glossy fur — and, in heraldry, the color black (said 'SAY-bul'). It leans to girls, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, French

MeaningFrom the English word sable, borrowed through Old French from a Slavic word for the marten whose dark fur was prized in medieval Europe. In heraldry sable means simply 'black'. As a given name it is a word-name and leans strongly toward girls, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13815 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 10

History & Origin

Sable entered English through Old French from a Slavic word for the marten, an animal whose glossy dark pelt was a luxury good across medieval Europe. Heralds borrowed it as the term for black, and the word carries that shadowed elegance still. As a given name it is modern and used far more often for girls, which we note (said 'SAY-bul').

For boys it appears only very rarely in the U.S., against heavier girls' use. Very rare for boys, sleek, and dark-toned.

Did you know? In the language of heraldry, sable simply means black — so a knight's shield 'sable' was a black shield. The word came from the marten whose fur medieval Europe prized above almost any other. As a name it leans strongly to girls, which we note.

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Sable — English word-name (fur; heraldic black); girl-leaning in U.S. use

Variations

SabelSabl

Nicknames

SabeSabby

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sable mean?

Sable is the dark, glossy fur of the marten — and in heraldry the word for the color black.

How do you pronounce Sable?

It's said SAY-bul /ˈseɪ.bəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sable a boy or girl name?

Here Sable is used as a boy's name; note it leans strongly toward girls in the U.S.

How popular is Sable?

Sable is very rare for boys in the U.S., and considerably more common for girls.