Gemstone Names - Part Three

All right, let's finish up this three-day look at gemstone names!

Gemstone Names - Part One
Gemstone Names - Part Two

Before I continue with specific minerals, there's all kinds of general options out there I wanted to briefly touch on: Jewel (with the singer associations), Rocky (a nickname name with cartoon namesakes), Rock (as in actor Hudson), Stone (solemn but has a great sound), and Pebbles (as in The Flintstones). Classic Peter means "rock" too!

Pearl

Pearl was in the top 20's and 30's of the top 1000 during the from the early days of the list, from 1880 through the 1920's. It dropped off the list entirely and started to make a comeback in 2010 - and for good reason! The sound is unique, the stone is beautiful, and it fits in with the retro trends. Pearl is one of the June birthstones (wouldn't Pearl and Alexandrite be a cool twin set?) and the gem is associated with integrity and faith.





Peridot

This beautiful green gem was introduced to me by the show Steven Universe, and in my research I've found it's the August birthstone. As a name, I think it could be a really cool, unique choice. Peridot is associated with compassion and renewal, and its color is refreshing and natural! The T-ending is trending for boys - on the girls side, I think it matures the name well. And Perri would be an adorable nickname!




Ruby

My parents considered Ruby when choosing a name for me, and because I was born in July it ended up being my birthstone. So get ready for a whole lot of Ruby appreciation!
The name is at #90 in the US, but in most other English-speaking countries it's ranked much higher. The highest Ruby has ever ranked in the USA was at #22 in 1911. It's associated with nobility, energy, and leadership - it's been high in demand throughout history. Songs "Ruby Tuesday"and "Ruby Baby" have kept it on the radio, and it's the name of many famous pop culture characters. Ruby sounds like a nickname, but stands well on its own. Hooray for Ruby!

Sapphire

Like Diamond or Emerald, this is a very luxurious and sparkly name. It does share a sound connection to popular Sophia, and I think a foreign translation would fare better as a name in the US - Saffira or Sapphira, anyone? It's associated with creativity and hope, and is the September birthstone.







Silver

This name is the epitome of cool - the shining color and association with weapons and wealth is perfect for any badass kid. Silver is associated with the moon and determination. Closeness to Sylvan and Sylvia helps its accessibility, as does the trendy -er ending. It will definitely be a unique choice!







Topaz

Gorgeous and mysterious, Topaz is a beautiful no-nickname option. The stone is associated with balance and calmness, and it's the birthstone for November. The reddish-gold color is perfect for an autumn baby, and the uniqueness of Topaz is unparalleled. The Z-ending is edgy too - an all-around hit!




Zircon

A cool Z-name that fits in with Zachary, Zayden, or Zane, Zircon is one of the birthstones for December. It is associated with spiritual grounding and healing. Zircon has never been in the top 1000, but it's sound and form make for a cool choice!






Phew! That's it for a rocky week!

Gemstone Names - Part Two

Hello, all!

This is a continuation of yesterday's Gemstone Names - Part One post. Feel free to tell me in the comments if I missed a favorite rock* of yours!

*(thanks, Hank!)

Garnet

This name dropped off the list in 1944, but I think a comeback is in order. The stone is associated with regeneration and stability, and it's the birthstone for January. The name comes from its color connection to the pomegranate fruit. Those of you looking for a class name that will age well and doesn't need a nickname, Garnet might be for you!






Gold

This strong single-syllable metal isn't a bad choice for a middle name of any gender. Gold symbolizes perfection and eternity, and it's associated with many positive ideas - "golden child", "pot of gold", etc. It connects to names such as Gilda, Gilderoy, or Goldman. I would be wary of using it first, but it might make a full name glitter.







Iolite

I hadn't heard of Iolite before my research into these posts, but I fell in love with the sound of this name! It connects to Ione, Iolanthe, or Io - not a bad nickname at that! The stone is associated with imagination and exploration, and the color ranges from blue to indigo to purple. A definitely unique possibility!







Jade

One of the most popular gemstone/mineral names, Jade is firmly in the top 200, with siblings Jada, Jayla, and Jayden not far off. The stone is associated with healing and peace, and can be found all over the world. It's a great choice if you're looking for something well-established but very cool.




Jasper

This classic British-style name has been trending upwards in recent years, a fresh antidote to the Jason/Justin frenzy. The stone is associated with nurturing and healing, and the meaning translates to "bringer of treasure". Jasper is definitely one of my favorites on the gemstone list!




Malachite

Sib-name Malachi skyrocketed into the top 200 over a ten year span, so why not look for similar but unique options? This gemstone is associated with nature and amplification of energy. I thought there was also a Biblical connection, but I'm having trouble finding it in my research...




Onyx

The stone of strength and discipline, many associate this name with a more masculine energy - I think it could work for any strong kid, though. Onyx is edgy, hip and mysterious, and doesn't sound like any other name out there.








Opal

This multicolored gem is associated with hope, inspiration and achievement - quite the trifecta! It's one of the birthstones for October, and comes in all shapes and sizes. Opal is cute and vintage, like Maude or Dorothy, and could definitely return to the charts soon!


One more bejeweled installment arrives tomorrow!

Gemstone Names - Part One

I've recently been introduced to Cartoon Network's fairly new TV show, Steven Universe, about a boy named Steven who teams up with the Crystal Gems to save the world (in a nutshell)! It's a great show about friendship, family, young love, relationships, and being true to yourself (again, in a nutshell). The main Crystal Gems in the show are Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl - so I was inspired to make a post about gemstone (and mineral) names!

Since there are so many cool options, I'll be splitting up the gemstone and mineral names over three days. I also won't be splitting them up by gender, since many are unisex. 

Gemstone Names - Part Two

Gemstone Names - Part Three

Let's begin!

Alexandrite 

I included this name because of its connection to Alex, Alexander, and Alexis. This gemstone is associated with creativity and is considered a good omen - not a bad "meaning" at all! It could be a cool way to get the nickname Alex but keep a unique full name. It's also one of the birthstones for June.



Amber

This incredibly popular gem name peaked in the 1980's and is on its way back down. So it may be considered unique today, but many kids will recognize it as a "mom name". Amber is associated with healing and protection, and it's soft golden-orange color is beautiful for a summer or fall baby.





Amethyst

This name seems perfectly poised to pose as a prénom (sorry, but the alliteration was too enticing). It's similar in sound to Amy, Amanda, and Amelia, and connects via color to Violet and Indigo. It's the birthstone for February, and its history associates it with royalty and as an antidote to intoxication (who knew?)




Copper

Cards on the table - I originally included this name because of my love for The Fox and the Hound. After some thought, however, I think it could definitely work for a human child. It's not far from Connor, Cooper, or Carter, and the color is divine. The metal is associated with money and positive relationships - love and friendship, for example. The only drawback I've heard is the connection to a nickname for police officers, but even that slang term has died down quite a bit - and I think Copper could honor a cop in the family!



Coral

Recently used as the name of Nemo's mom in Finding Nemo, I think Coral could make a cool comeback (it's been at the bottom of the top 1000 list since the 1930's). It's close to Cora, or even as a Carol honorific? It's associated with meditation and visualization, and the ocean feeling might be perfect for a baby born by the sea.




Diamond

This name immediately conjures up the feelings of luxury, wealth and power. The name comes from the Greek for "invincible". This name might not be totally accessible, but the cute nickname Dia will tone it down. Diamonds are also the April birthstone.





Emerald

Growing up, this was one of my favorite stones - probably because of its similar sound to Emily! It will fit right in with Emma and Emerson too. The Latin variation Esmeralda is also well known. The stone is associated with "successful love", and it's the May birthstone.





Stay tuned for the next installment!