10 Gemstone Baby Names Beyond Ruby And Pearl

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

People have been fascinated by brilliantly colored gems for centuries, so it makes sense that many of these precious stones would be used as baby names. Of course, out of the names that many of the gemstones inspire, some are more commonly used than others. For instance, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Ruby was one of the top 100 popular names from the 1890s through 1945. In 2013, it cracked the top 100 a second time. The name's also likely familiar to kids and parents alike, thanks to Rosemary Wells' beloved bunny series, "Max and Ruby."

Pearl has also been a historically ubiquitous name, and it was in the top 100 girls' names from the 1880s to 1926. However, it hasn't yet experienced a resurgence in popularity like Ruby. Even so, Pearl's popularity shows up in other surprising ways, since Megan and Margaret are actually variants of the Greek word for pearl. Pearl is also often associated with Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." This link might dampen its appeal, since people may connect it with required reading for school.

Fortunately for gemstone enthusiasts, there are all kinds of creative name options that go beyond Ruby and Pearl. Here are some inspiring suggestions that are connected to precious stones of all types and colors that could be perfect for your little one.

In the last couple of decades, Jade has been a popular choice for baby girls born in the United States, and it's easy to see why the name is as prized as the gemstone. Best known for its brilliant shades of green, jade also comes in other colors, like lavender and yellow. It's considered a lucky symbol of protection, and many fans just think it's an all-around-cool name.

As a gemstone, garnets are best known for a lush red shade that's not too different from rubies. However, while garnets are less precious for jewelry, garnet is much rarer as a name, so it's perfect for parents who want to choose a moniker that stands out from the crowd. While garnets are January's birthstone, it's a striking name to use for babies born in every month.

Amber is a perfect name to signify a bond with the natural world, since these translucent stones are made of fossilized tree resin. The stone is associated with warmth and magic. Amber also means "fierce," which makes it a powerful as well as a pretty name choice. Although Amber's heyday as a popular name was the 1970s to 1990s, it's high time for this option to make a triumphant return.

This shining black stone has some pretty interesting lore, including a longstanding belief that it has protective qualities. For July birthdays, Onyx is an alternative birthstone option to Ruby, so why not extend that to names? A gender-neutral choice, Onyx is a great name for parents who want a creative choice that you don't hear very often. Who knows, they might even start a new trend!

Jasper's popularity as a boy's name has been on the rise in the United States over the last three decades. It's one name on our list where you might think of it as a name first, and a gemstone second. However, it means "treasure," which showcases its gem connection. The precious stone has been valued the world over and has a wealth of positive connotations, like courage and confidence, which make it an ideal baby name.

Beryl is a broad category of gemstones that includes aquamarine and emerald. It also encompasses broad categories as a name, since it's also associated with the Hebrew word for bear. Like Ruby and Pearl, Beryl was also part of the original gemstone-inspired name trend of the late 1800s. Although it hasn't been super popular in the U.S. yet, this distinctive, gender-neutral name is worth considering.

This stunning green gemstone's associations with love make it an ideal choice for your little one. Unlike more common names that begin with "Em," like Emily, Emerald is a much rarer choice, and it's more colorful, too. For pop culture fans, there's also the link to actor/director Emerald Fennell (whose father, incidentally, designs jewelry).

Surprisingly, sapphires and rubies are different colored versions of the same mineral: corundum. While rubies are rarer in nature, Sapphire is a much less common name. Due to its associations with wisdom and blessing, Sapphire's a creative name choice that's full of meaning. The name also has royal connections as well, since Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears a dazzling sapphire engagement ring.

With their glittering, iridescent shine, opals have a fiery brilliance that gives them a unique edge over other gems. These qualities also make Opal a perfect baby name. It's unusual and feels more modern to some than more familiar names like Pearl. Opal might also strike a nostalgic chord for fans of the kids' classic, "Because of Winn-Dixie," adding to the name's appeal.

For an even rarer name choice, consider Topaz. As a gemstone, topaz comes in a variety of hues, like yellow, pink, and purple, and it's associated with happiness and strength. It also has connections to a Sanskrit word for "fire," which adds to its mystique. Although the name is associated with a female character in the book "I Capture the Castle," there are so few Topazes, and people see it as a gender-neutral option.