Jewel and Gemstone Baby Names
- Tamayo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"generation jewel"Description:
Japanese name with a special crossover/creative touch via its association with the colorful paintings of acclaimed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo.
- Gin
Origin:
"silver"Meaning:
"silver"Description:
Common name in Japan, would have alcoholic allusions here.
- Turquoise
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Turkish stone"Description:
Turquoise is similar in hue to Aqua, which is one of the cool new color names on the palette. Other blue-hued options: Cerulean, Cyan, Indigo, or Blue itself.
- Marjani
Origin:
Arabic, SwahiliMeaning:
"coral"Description:
A name with the kind of pan-cultural feel that's in vogue now... and forever. A French variant, Marjane, belongs to the author of the iconic graphic memoir Persepolis.
- Pyrite
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fire stone"Description:
So named because it emits sparks when struck with a stone.
- Diamond
Origin:
Gem nameDescription:
Diamond sparkled all through the nineties--reaching as high as Number 150 in 1999. Although its shine has diminished quite a bit, it remains in use.
- Electa
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"amber"Description:
An Early American name undoubtedly related to the Greek mythological name Electra, the version we prefer.
- Cinnabar
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Associated with a vivid red-orange-colored lacquer, would make a more than distinctive color-related choice.
- Granite
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
There's a whole quarry of rocky names parents are now considering: Slate, Flint, etc. , but this one is particularly hard-edged and problematic.
- Tamako
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"jewel child"Description:
Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.
- Jumana
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"silver pearl"Description:
Rare and rhythmic.
- Umina
Origin:
Japanese or QuechuaMeaning:
"sea or emerald"Description:
As a Japanese name, Umina derives from umi, meaning "sea", combined with a range of other kanji characters.
- Tourmaline
Origin:
French gem nameMeaning:
"colorful jewel"Description:
An elaborate and shiny choice.
- Inbar
Origin:
IsraeliMeaning:
"amber"Description:
Fashionable choice in modern Israel, also a place-name there, not likely to succeed here.
- Larimar
Origin:
Gemstone nameDescription:
The discoverer of this lovely bright blue gemstone named it after his daughter Larissa and the sea (mar), hence Larimar. A lovely name which could be a great alternative to Larissa, Lara and other more commonly used Lar- names.
- Bende
Origin:
Diminutive of Bendegúz, Hungarian from TurkishMeaning:
"jewel, bead"
- Penina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.
- Rupa
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"silver"Description:
Related to the Indian word and currency "rupee', Rupa derives its meaning from the ancient Sanskrit language, and can mean both silver and beautiful. Rupa also has strong historical and literary associations (as Rupa Bhawani was a noted 16th Century poetess and mystic) from Kashmir.
- Pessa
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Old-fashioned enough to the American ear that literally no baby girls received the name in the US in the most recent year counted. Though might Pessa provide a more unique spin on Tessa? It certainly has a lovely meaning, one shared with Margaret.
- Ngoc
Origin:
Variation of Ngọc, VietnameseMeaning:
"jade"Description:
Popular unisex choice in Vietnam.