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Crystal

♀ Girl

Pronounced KRIS-tul /ˈkrɪs.təl/High

Meaning: Ice; clear gemstone; from Greek krystallos (crystal, clear ice), from kryos (icy cold)High

In 30 seconds: A Greek-origin gem name meaning 'clear ice,' from krystallos (crystal, ice). It was fashionable in the 1970s–1980s and is strongly associated with the TV show Dynasty (Crystal Carrington) and the clarity of a crystal's transparency.

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Origin HighGreek, English

MeaningIce; clear gemstone; from Greek krystallos (crystal, clear ice), from kryos (icy cold)

U.S. rank (2025)#1145 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births202 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1982

Total births (all-time)≈ 332,109

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Crystal comes from Greek krystallos (crystal, clear ice), from kryos (icy cold). The ancient Greeks called crystal a form of ice so frozen it never melted. As a given name it entered English use in the 20th century as a gem/nature name.

Crystal peaked in the U.S. in the 1980s, ranking in the top 10 for girls in 1982–1983. It has declined since. Ranked #1176 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Alexis Carrington named her daughter Crystal on the TV soap opera Dynasty (1981–1989) — the character Krystle (different spelling) became a pop culture sensation, and the name Crystal sat at the peak of its popularity during exactly the Dynasty years.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Crystal — Greek etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KrystalKristalCrystall

Nicknames

Crys

Famous Bearers

★Crystal Gayle (1951-)
American country music singer
★Crystal Bowersox (1985-)
American singer and American Idol runner-up
★Crystal Renn (1986-)
American fashion model and author
★Crystal Kay (1986-)
Japanese-American singer

If you like Crystal…

Krystal— the K-spelling variant of the same name

Amber— gemstone/resin name from the same 1970s–80s naming wave

Ruby— gemstone name in the same sparkling category

Diamond— gem name in the same aspirational mineral category

Jade— gemstone name popular in the same era

Explore names like Crystal

By themegreek nature two-syllable gem

By meaningSnow / Winter Rock / Stone

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Crystal mean?

Crystal means 'clear ice' or 'crystalline mineral,' from Greek krystallos, which also meant ice so frozen it was thought to never melt.

How do you pronounce Crystal?

It's said KRIS-tul — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Crystal a boy or girl name?

Crystal is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Crystal?

Crystal ranked #1176 for U.S. girls in 2024, far below its 1982–83 top-10 peak.