A Birthstone Baby Name Doesn't Have To Match Your Baby's Birth Month

Choosing a baby name is a weighty endeavor, and many parents pore over tons of lists and ideas before settling on their final decision. Birthstones are often a popular and beloved option worth considering, but if you're wary of a themed name, you also don't have to name your baby after their own birth month's gemstone. Instead, you can use birthstones to honor loved ones without using their exact moniker. You can also pick a birthstone that represents a specific event, such as an important anniversary. 

You're certainly not alone in wanting to choose a name that's meaningful. Once your baby arrives, it's surprisingly common to worry that you picked the wrong name. In fact, in a BabyCenter survey, 9% of parents say they regret the name they picked for their little one. Choosing a name with a strong backstory or namesake connection, however, can help minimize this fear, making birthstone names a beautiful and subtle way to add meaning to your baby's identity. 

It's believed that the idea of birthstones is linked to Polish tradition, dating back hundreds of years, with other sources linking gemstones to Biblical roots. While several months are connected to one stone, some offer both traditional and modern options. Each gemstone is said to represent a different meaning, opening you up to a glittering treasure chest of possibilities. 

Start by looking at each month's birthstone and considering whether any would make a name you genuinely love, even without its symbolism. On the traditional list, January is represented by garnet, May is emerald, June is pearl, and July is ruby. But on the modern list, created by the National Association of Jewelers in 1912, there are a few alternatives. March is represented by aquamarine, an arguably better option than the traditional bloodstone. This birthstone also inspires names like Aqua or Marina. 

Golden-colored peridot and vibrant pink spinel are the modern birthstones for August, rather than the traditional dark sardonyx. Peri or Perry both work well as a sweet nod to the golden version. Speaking of this timeless color, citrine is one of the modern alternatives to topaz, the traditional November birthstone, offering a unique baby girl name option.

Beyond the gems themselves are the symbolic meanings worth considering. If you're looking for a name that means peace, consider amethyst, which is February's birthstone. January's garnet is said to represent loyalty and friendship, while October's opal symbolizes light and magic. 

You can also look for names that translate to the gemstone associated with a particular month. For April, for example, Almas means "diamond" in Persian. Hira translates to the same meaning in Sanskrit. Safira is a beautiful spin on September's birthstone and means "sapphire" in both Portuguese and Hebrew. Similarly, on the traditional birthstone list, turquoise represents December, making the Arabic name Fairuza a potential option, as it also means turquoise.