Precious Baby Names
- Alabaster
Origin:
Mineral nameDescription:
Alabaster is a white stone that was often used to make sculptures. The name is thought to derive from an Egyptian term al-abaste, which refers to the Egyptian God Bast.
- Amethyst
Origin:
Gem and Color nameDescription:
As flower names become more unique, so can gem names move beyond Ruby and Pearl to names like Topaz, Sapphire, and Peridot. Amethyst, the purple birthstone for February, has never been in the Top 1000, but could have some appeal, joining similarly-hued Violet and Lilac, all of which make great names for Aquarius babies or names for February babies.
- Malachite
Origin:
Gemstone nameDescription:
There aren't many gemstone names that are firmly masculine but Malachite is one of these. The gemstone is a rich green colour and is often used for decorative sculptures. The name is thought to derive from the name of the Mallow plant, the leaves of which resemble the patterns on the gemstone. The name is also similar to the Hebrew name Malachi.
- Obsidian
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
This rarely used boys name is one of the few gem names for a boy. Obsidian is actually a type of volcanic glass, formed when lava cools very quickly. This ultra-cool name might spark a love of volcanoes and geology in a little boy.
- Zircon
Origin:
Gem name from GreekMeaning:
"gold-hued"Description:
Although Zircon means "gold-hued," the gem comes in a variety of colors.
- Peridot
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"a green gemstone"Description:
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 ancient times as the symbol of the sun.
- Lazuli
Origin:
Persian place nameDescription:
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 deep and rich blue color and was used for pigments and jewellery. Lazuli can be used for a boy or a girl.
- Topaz
Origin:
Greek gem nameDescription:
As a name, Topaz is a quietly used option, with a distinctive ending and a sleek but sassy feel. As a golden gemstone, it is said to have energizing properties and bring good luck to those who wear it. It is also the the birthstone for November, making it an ideal choice for a spirited November baby.
- Tourmaline
Origin:
French gem nameMeaning:
"colorful jewel"Description:
An elaborate and shiny choice.
- Citrine
Origin:
Gemstone nameDescription:
Citrine is a type of quartz named after its citrus-colored hues. if Amethyst, Jasper, and Onyx (all other types of quartz) can be used, why not Citrine, which has a lovely French-sounding suffix. Citrine is one of the many rare and attractive girl names starting with C.
- Heliodor
Origin:
Gemstone nameDescription:
Also known as green beryl, Heliodor is the name of a sun-kissed colored gemstone. The name is reminiscent of other -dor names such as Theodore, Esidore, Isidor, Landor, Salvador etc.
- Garnet
Origin:
Jewel name, from the FrenchMeaning:
"pomegranate"Description:
One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.
- Jet
Origin:
Mineral and word nameDescription:
Though this may be thought of as a short form of the legitimate name Jetta, that one's gone to the cars. This sounds more modern if a bit supersonic. In the Netherlands, it's in the Top 100, originating as a short form of -ette ending names such as Henriette and Mariette.
- Rosegold
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"pinkish gold"Description:
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.
- Gem
Description:
Gem is a concise, evocative feminine name derived directly from the English word for precious stones. This nature-inspired name conveys qualities of rarity, beauty, and value. As a given name, Gem has never been widely common but has maintained steady, limited usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era when longer names are often popular. Gem can also function as a nickname for longer names like Gemma, Gemini, or even more distantly related names like Jemima. The name evokes positive associations with brilliance, durability, and natural beauty. Its simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce across cultures while carrying rich metaphorical meaning.
- Turquoise
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Turkish stone"Description:
Turquoise is similar in hue to Aqua, which is one of the cool new color names on the palette. Other blue-hued options: Cerulean, Cyan, Indigo, or Blue itself.
- Cinnabar
Origin:
Word name, English from GreekMeaning:
"deep red mineral"Description:
Associated with a vivid red-orange-colored lacquer, would make a more than distinctive color-related choice.
- Diamond
Origin:
Word name, English from GreekMeaning:
"diamond"Description:
Diamond sparkled all through the nineties--reaching as high as Number 150 in 1999. Although its shine has diminished quite a bit, it remains in use.
- Olivine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"olive"Description:
A gem named for its green hue.
- Mercury
Origin:
RomanMeaning:
"messenger of the gods, quicksilver"Description:
It's a car brand, a planet, and the messenger of the gods -- but it's questionable whether it works as a little girl's name.
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