Topaz

Topaz for boys

While the exact etymology of the name is unknown, one theory is that it comes from the Greek Topázios, the ancient name for what is now St. John's Island in the Red Sea. A yellow stone was originally mined from there, and while it believed to have been chrysolite and not topaz, the name may have became attached to the yellow gemstone anyway. A second theory is that it emerged from the Sanskrit word tapas meaning "heat" or "fire", likely in reference to its color.

While Topaz has never appeared in the US stats for boys, it has seen some use in Israel, India, and Canada as a masculine name. Thanks to its rarity however, it could work for any gender, especially as an unexpected middle name or a bold but familiar first.

Topaz for girls

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.

While the exact etymology is unknown, it is believed to come from Topázios or Topázion, the ancient name for what is now known as St. John's Island in the Red Sea. A yellow stone was once mined from there, and while it is now believed to be chrysolite, the name may have attached itself to the gemstone. An alternative theory is that it comes from tapas, a Sanskrit word meaning "heat" or "fire", which may relate to its golden hue, or to the fact it changes color when heated.

Also believed to protect against dark magic and encourage healing and love, Topaz appears in an eponymous novel by Leon Uris, later made into a 1969 Hitchcock movie, in which Topaz was the name not of a person but a spy code name. There are are however characters called Topaz in Dodie Smith's novel I Capture the Castle, in the animated series Trollz, in the Marvel comic book of the same name, and in the show Steven Universe.

In the US, there have never been more than 20 Topazes born in a single year, making it a rare gem among Sapphires, Pearls, Rubies, and Opals.