Jewel

♀ Girl

Pronounced JOO-el /ˈdʒuː.əl/Low

Meaning: A precious gem, something greatly treasuredLow

In 30 seconds: Jewel is a warm English word-name meaning a precious gemstone or something greatly treasured. As a given name it expresses that the child is considered a precious gem by her parents — a sentiment as old as gem names themselves.

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Origin LowEnglish, Old French

MeaningA precious gem, something greatly treasured

U.S. rank (2025)#1514 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births141 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 41,479

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

Jewel derives from Old French jouel meaning a plaything or trinket, which evolved in meaning to describe precious gemstones. As a given name it has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, particularly in the American South.

Jewel carries warm associations through singer Jewel Kilcher, known simply as Jewel, who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. It has a Southern American flavor and the warmth of a cherished gem.

Did you know? The word jewel came to English from Old French jouel, itself from Latin jocus meaning a joke or trifle — the remarkable semantic journey from trifle to treasure is one of language history's most interesting evolutions.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Jewel

Variations

JewellJewelleJewelyn

Nicknames

Jules

Famous Bearers

★Jewel (b. 1974)
American singer-songwriter (born Jewel Kilcher) who rose to fame with the album Pieces of You

If you like Jewel…

Pearl— Gem name of same tradition

Crystal— Gem/mineral word-name

Ruby— Precious gem name for girls

Noel— echoes that soft -el sound

Mabel— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Jewel

By themeenglish word-name two-syllable warm southern gem

By meaningJewel / Gem

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Jewel mean?

Jewel means a precious gemstone, expressing that the named child is considered something greatly treasured.

Who is the singer Jewel?

Jewel Kilcher is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1990s with the album Pieces of You.

How do you pronounce Jewel?

Jewel is pronounced JOO-el with two syllables.

What names are similar to Jewel?

Similar gem names include Pearl, Crystal, and Ruby.