Jewel tones are taking over the fashion and design worlds at the moment. Living Coral is Pantone’s color of the year, citrine yellow dominated the spring runways, and emerald has quickly become a home-decor neutral. Combine these color cues with modern parents’ love of vintage names, and you’ve got the inspiration for our latest list.
Our favorite gemstone-inspired names range from classic to rare, subtle to stand-out. Conjuring images of oversized heirloom brooches and flashy cocktail rings, these gemstone baby names are sure to help your little one shine!
Beryl
This classic name, which means “sea-green jewel,” is ready for a revival. Last popular in the 1950s, Beryl may appeal to vintage lovers who want a high-style and outside-the-box baby name. For March and May babies, Beryl could be a nod to the gemstones aquamarine and emerald, which are both beryl varieties.
Bijou
A French name meaning “jewel,” Bijou is equal parts sassy and sophisticated. This elegant moniker has been worn most famously by model/actress Bijou Phillips, who is credited as first putting the name into our collective ears.
Esmeralda
If Emerald is too literal, Esmeralda is another way to evoke this gorgeous green gem. A Spanish and Portuguese name meaning “emerald,” the name has an elegant sound and feminine feel. And it’s currently not used much in the US. We’re loving nicknames Esme or Essie to shorten things up a bit.
Garnet
Resembling a glass of cab sav, the deep red garnet is a favorite gem for a reason. While the stone has popularity, as a name, Garnet is virtually unused. We think it’s completely wearable, and it makes an unexpected, gender-neutral alternative to the other “red” names, like Scarlett and Rose. It may also have appeal for parents who favor names with the -ett ending (like Garrett or Beckett).
Gemma
We couldn’t do a gemstone list without precious Gemma. An Italian name with British appeal (the famous Gemmas that come to mind are British actresses Chan, Arterton, and Jones), Gemma has only begun to make its mark in the US. First appearing on US charts as recently as 2008, it currently ranks at #229, its highest ranking ever in America.
Jade
Short and sweet—like Jane with an added edge—Jade has hovered around the top 100 baby names for decades but never feels common. In Chinese culture, Jade is thought to embody the “Confucian virtues of courage, wisdom, modesty, justice and compassion.” Famed chef Giada De Laurentiis named her daughter Jade; interestingly enough, Giada means “jade” in Italian!
Jasper
A Persian name meaning “bringer of treasure,” Jasper is a gem of a name. This once-offbeat moniker has become mainstream, and there are many reasons why. As the name of a multicolored quartz that’s thought to have healing properties, the name connotes emotional and spiritual health. It has biblical significance as the name of one of the three wise men. And artsy parents might like that it evokes American modern artist Jasper Johns.
Larimar
A bright blue gemstone found only in the Caribbean, larimar mimics almost exactly the color of the ocean’s water. The stone got its name when one of its discoverers, Miguel Mendez, combined the first part of his daughter Larissa’s name with the Spanish “mar,” for sea. As a baby name, Larimer mixes the calm of the ocean with the cool of the surname style, as it resembles last names Lorimer and Larimer.
Lin
The name Lin has various meanings and works across cultures. It made this list because of its Chinese meaning: “fine jade, gem.” We love the versatility of the short and sweet Lin. It’s great as a first or middle name, for any gender, and when paired with another name (Lin-Manuel Miranda!). The “Lin” spelling can also be used as an alternative to “Lynn.”
Malaya
This name’s most immediate association might be British Malaya. But malaya is also an unusual variety of garnet with an orangish tone, and we think this beauty packs serious name potential. Maya and Malea lovers who are drawn to shiny things may find baby name inspiration in Malaya.
Margaret
True, we might not think of pearls when we hear the name Margaret. We’re more likely to think of one of the dozens of famous Margarets through time. But this classic name comes from the Hebrew word for pearl. So if you’re looking for a gemstone-inspired baby name and you want something timeless, Margaret might be perfect. And you’ll never be short on nickname options: Maggie, Mae, Mags, Maisie, Marge, Margo, Meg, Molly, Daisy, Peggy, Rita, and Greta!
Mica
Mica is a group of minerals that form in sheets or layers. Aside from its beauty, this unique “plating” characteristic gives it practical uses in many industries. The baby name Mica is a short form of the biblical Michal. We like it as an alternative to the quick-rising Ezra, which is also biblical and makes a similar style statement with its two syllables and -a ending.
Neelam
Taken from the Sanskrit word for sapphire, the name Neelum (or Nilam) has many famous namesakes around the world: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the sixth president of India; British Indian actress Neelam Kothari; and German actress and vlogger Nilam Farooq. Yet in the US, the name is still as rare as the vibrant blue stone. We love the name for an Indian-American baby.
Olivine
First came Olivia and Oliver. Then came Olive. Now we’re turning our attention to the mineral-inspired Olivine. A baby name meaning “olive tree,” Olivine is also a group of minerals that includes the peridot. As other names ending in -ine make their leaps up the charts (Josephine is now in the top 100!), Olivine feels more and more at home.
Peridot
The apple-green peridot makes a major statement in a cocktail ring. And as a baby name, Peridot is certainly statement making. It gives us that popular -o ending, like Margot, but with some unexpected personality. And nickname option Peri—or even Dot!—makes Peridot one of our favorite gemstone baby names.
Ruby
The u sound is dominating right now, as evidenced by the skyrocketing popularity of Luna, Lucy, and the gemstone-inspired Ruby. The name was most popular in the US in the early 1900s, but it’s risen back up, now ranked at #74. And we don’t see it slowing down any time soon. But for all its popularity, Ruby retains its vintage feel and classic charm.
Takara
The name Takara means “treasure, jewel,” and would convey your child’s pricelessness in a subtle way. A name of Japanese origin, parents seeking a Western-wearable name to honor a Japanese background might find this name to be perfect for their baby. Plus, we think Takara is completely fitting with the other -ara ending names that are just now making their way onto the scene.
And that’s our list of the best gemstone baby names! Others you love? Let us know!