Onyx

♂ Boy

Pronounced ON-iks /ˈɒn.ɪks/High

Meaning: From the Greek 'onyx', meaning claw or fingernail (because the stone's colors resemble a fingernail) — a black or banded gemstone name used as a given name for its striking visual associations.High

In 30 seconds: Onyx is a striking gemstone name meaning 'black stone' — sleek, dark, and visually powerful. It is part of the modern trend of gemstone and mineral names, alongside names like Jasper, Flint, and Jet.

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Origin HighGreek, Latin

MeaningFrom the Greek 'onyx', meaning claw or fingernail (because the stone's colors resemble a fingernail) — a black or banded gemstone name used as a given name for its striking visual associations.

U.S. rank (2025)#365 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births881 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,835

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

The word onyx comes from the Greek onyx (claw, fingernail), referring to the white or flesh-colored veins in some varieties of the stone that resemble a fingernail. Onyx is a form of chalcedony, used in jewelry and carving since antiquity. It appears in the Hebrew Bible and was used in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman ornamentation.

As a given name, Onyx emerged in the United States in the early twenty-first century as part of a broader trend of gemstone names for both boys and girls. It has a dark, mysterious, and powerful quality distinct from the lighter gemstone names (Pearl, Opal, Ruby). It entered US birth records in the 2010s and is growing slowly, used primarily for boys but occasionally for girls.

Did you know? Onyx is mentioned in the Book of Genesis (2:12) as one of the precious stones found in the land of Havilah — making it one of the very first gemstones named in the Bible, giving this modern trendy name an unexpectedly ancient scriptural pedigree.

Overall data confidence 88%

Oxford English Dictionary: onyx — Greek etymology and gemstone historySocial Security Administration Name Data — US appearance frequency for Onyx

Variations

Onix

Nicknames

Ony

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Onyx…

Jasper— two-syllable gemstone/mineral name for boys with the same earthy, bold character

Flint— one-syllable mineral name for boys with the same dark, striking natural imagery

Slate— one-syllable mineral name with the same dark stone quality and modern word-name appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Onyx mean?

Onyx means 'claw' or 'fingernail' in Greek, referring to the stone's coloring, and names the black banded gemstone.

How do you pronounce Onyx?

Onyx is pronounced ON-iks (/ˈɒn.ɪks/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Onyx a boy or girl name?

Onyx is used for both genders but is more commonly given to boys.

How popular is Onyx?

Onyx is an uncommon but growing name in the United States, appearing in birth records from the 2010s onward.