Meaning: Black gemstone; from Greek onyx (fingernail, claw — the stone's layers resemble a fingernail)High
In 30 seconds: A Greek gem name meaning 'black' — from onyx (fingernail, because the stone's layered bands resemble a fingernail's edge). One of the boldest gem names in use, Onyx is edgy, dark, and beautiful.
MeaningBlack gemstone; from Greek onyx (fingernail, claw — the stone's layers resemble a fingernail)
U.S. rank (2024)#1248 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births186 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,627
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Onyx comes from Greek onyx (fingernail, claw), referring to the stone's layered bands that resemble fingernail material. As a gem name it has been used for protection and strength since antiquity. As a given name it is a modern American dark-gem choice.
Onyx ranked #1248 for girls in 2024.
Did you know? The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that onyx was formed from the clippings of Venus's fingernails that fell into the Indus River — which is why the Greek word for fingernail (onyx) became the stone's name. So Onyx is literally named for a goddess's fingernails.
Overall data confidence 94%
Behind the Name — Onyx — Greek etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
Onyxe
Nicknames
Onnie
Famous Bearers
Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Onyx…
Obsidian— dark volcanic glass name in the same bold gemstone category
