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.
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.
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
