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Rock and Mineral Names For Nature Lovers

BirdRain
By BirdRain
Updated Mon May 22 2023
You see, I love rocks. And I see it as a disappointment that we aren’t taking advantage of all the cool rock name possibilities. There are so many rocks, crystals, minerals, etc. that we need to start using as names. I’ve decided to bring it upon myself to bring to the table what we nature name lovers have been missing out on. Are these all the rock names? No, I’m not perfect. However these are the ones that call to me, the ones that I look at and go “someone needs to add this to a baby names list .” And the best part? They’re rocks! Even if I list it as a girls name it can likely work for boys because rock names are pretty unisex
  1. Jasper

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "bringer of treasure"

    • Description:

      Jasper originated as a variation of the Latin Gaspar, which ultimately derived from the Persian word ganzabara, meaning "bringer of treasure." As a given name, Jasper’s etymology is unrelated to that of the gemstone, which comes from a Semitic word meaning "speckled stone." Jasper is the usual English form for one of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the infant Christ according to medieval tradition and appears in the Bible as a reference to the stone itself in Revelations 4:3.
  2. Ruby

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "deep red precious stone"

    • Description:

      Vibrant, sassy, and bubbly, Ruby is a vintage gem that hasn't lost any of its sparkle. Currently popular in a number of English-speaking countries, Ruby is proof of the 100 Year Rule, trending again for the first time since its heyday in the 1910s.
  3. Jade

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "stone of the side"

    • Description:

      As a precious stone, Jade is known for its cool green hues, its importance in Chinese art, and its ability to transmit wisdom, confidence, and clarity. As a name, however, Jade is a 90s throwback in the UK, a Top 5 choice in France, and a returning gem in the US right now.
  4. Opal

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "gem"

    • Description:

      Opal is on the verge of a repolishing, following other jewel names like Ruby and Pearl. A Top 100 name during the first two decades of the twentieth century, the opalescent Opal has a good chance of coming back as another O-initial option.
  5. Amber

    • Origin:

      Word name, English

    • Description:

      Though perhaps not as currently stylish as Ruby, Jade, or Pearl, Amber has a colorful history (remember the notorious Forever Amber heroine?). Unfortunately, it does come with the "Amber Alert" connotation for modern parents (and their children).
  6. Copper

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "a reddish brown mineral"

    • Description:

      More unique than Cooper, and a favorite among pet parents. Copper was the loveable bloodhound from Disney's Fox and the Hound. Keep in mind that Copper is also slang for a policeman.
  7. Flint

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "born near outcrop of flint"

    • Description:

      Flint is one of the new macho names on the rise today, part old-school tough guy, part rebel. You won't find a tougher, steelier-sounding name; it's part of a genre on the rise along with cousins Slate, Stone and Steel.
  8. Amethyst

    • Origin:

      Gem and Color name

    • Description:

      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.
  9. Obsidian

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      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.
  10. Quartz

    • Origin:

      Mineral name

    • Description:

      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.
  11. Slate

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      One of the more unusual of the current crop of strong, single-syllable boys' names, evoking the images of both old-fashioned blackboards and modern stepping-stones and countertops.
  12. Peridot

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  13. Malachite

    • Origin:

      Gemstone name

    • Description:

      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.
  14. Garnet

    • Origin:

      Jewel name, for the French

    • Meaning:

      "pomegranate"

    • Description:

      One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, for both boys and girls, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl. But interestingly, Garnet means pomegranate, the fruit who shares a deep red color with the jewel.
  15. Galena

    • Origin:

      feminine of Galen

    • Meaning:

      "calm"

    • Description:

      Galena is the feminine of the Galen, which means calm. Galena is also a mineral-related name, a type of lead.
  16. Granite

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      There's a whole quarry of rocky names parents are now considering: Slate, Flint, etc. , but this one is particularly hard-edged and problematic.
  17. Carnelian

    • Origin:

      Gemstone name

    • Description:

      Carnelian is an ochre-colored semi-precious gemstone, named after a type of cherry.
  18. Olivine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "olive"

    • Description:

      A gem named for its green hue.
  19. Tourmaline

    • Origin:

      French gem name

    • Meaning:

      "colorful jewel"

    • Description:

      An elaborate and shiny choice.
  20. Marble

    • Description:

      Marble is a feminine name derived from the English word for the smooth, hard stone known for its beauty and durability. As a given name, Marble is extremely rare, offering a distinctive choice with natural world connections. The name evokes qualities of strength, elegance, and timeless beauty—characteristics of the stone itself. Object-inspired names have gained some popularity in recent decades, though Marble remains on the unconventional edge of this trend. The name's uniqueness makes it stand out while still feeling familiar due to the common word it's derived from. Marble's short, two-syllable structure gives it a rhythmic quality that's easy to pronounce. This uncommon choice might appeal to parents seeking a name that symbolizes permanence and natural beauty while standing apart from traditional feminine naming conventions.