Nature, Place and Word Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Persian place name
Now deeply associated with the gemstone Lapis Lazuli, Lazuli is derived from one of the places where the stone was first mined. The word Lazuli is the root for words like azure. Lapis Lazuli is a…
Amharic
"pearl"
A sweet Lu- name with a gemstone meaning, Lulit is predominately used in Ethiopia and by those with Ethiopian heritage.
Swahili from Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit
"coral; cleansing, purification"
A name with the kind of pan-cultural feel that's in vogue now... and forever, it is both a Swahili name meaning "coral", ultimately from the Arabic marjan , and a Hindi name, meaning "purification".…
Vietnamese
"jade"
Popular choice in Vietnam, where it is used for both sexes.
Hindi
"blue sapphire"
It is said that if one wears a flawless blue sapphire, it can remove poverty and provide health, wealth, long life, happiness and prosperity.
Hebrew
Biblical place name and masculine given name in the Old Testament.
Spanish
"gold"
Rare, with a gleaming, golden image.
Arabic
"a green gemstone"
Peridot is the gem of the month of August, a vibrant green mineral, said to be good for helping people put the past behind them, and an interesting, undiscovered jewel name. It was regarded in…
Portuguese
"Pearl"
The lovely Portuguese word for "pearl" (Pérola) was seldom used as a first name even in Brazil and Portugal until it was the name of a character on a popular telenovela "Joia Rara." It is also the…
Armenian
"turquoise"
Interesting on paper, though most people would confuse it with the word peruse.
Yiddish
Old-fashioned enough to the American ear that literally no baby girls received the name in the US in the most recent year counted. Though might Pessa provide a more unique spin on Tessa? It certainly…
Greek
"fire stone"
So named because it emits sparks when struck with a stone.
Mineral name
This may be a bit quirky to make it as a name, especially in first place. If you love it, you might try it in the middle.
English
"pinkish gold"
Rosegold, or rose gold, is actually an alloy of gold and copper, used in jewellery for its warm, pinkish hue. It would make for a pretty and quirky girl name, with sweet short forms Rosie and Goldie.
Sanskrit
"silver"
Related to the Indian word and currency "rupee', Rupa derives its meaning from the ancient Sanskrit language, and can mean both silver and beautiful. Rupa also has strong historical and literary…
Japanese
"lapis lazuli"
Naming babies after precious gems as a protection against evil spirits is an ancient Japanese tradition.
Variation of Sapphire
Saffira is the softer, Latin variation of the English name Sapphire. In sound it is reminiscent of Zephyra.
"sapphire"
An addition to the collection of gemstone names — a category that's currently rising in popularity.
Word name
Slate, Stone and Steel are on the rise, so why not Shale?
"jewel child"
Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.
