At a Glance: Name: Carnelian – Meaning: a red-orange chalcedony gemstone; the spelling likely shifted under the influence of Latin 'caro/carnis' (flesh), though the word may really derive from Old French 'corneline' (linked to Latin 'cornu'/'cornum') – Origin: Old French/Latin (word origin debated) – Pronunciation: kar-NEEL-yun
Carnelian is an Old French/Latin (word origin debated) name meaning “a red-orange chalcedony gemstone; the spelling likely shifted under the influence of Latin 'caro/carnis' (flesh), though the word may really derive from Old French 'corneline' (linked to Latin 'cornu'/'cornum')”. It appears in 3 of our baby name lists.
Meaning & Origin of Carnelian
Meaning: A red-orange chalcedony gemstone; the spelling likely shifted under the influence of Latin 'caro/carnis' (flesh), though the word may really derive from Old French 'corneline' (linked to Latin 'cornu'/'cornum').
Origin: Old French/Latin (word origin debated).
A common claim: Carnelian is said to mean 'flesh-colored,' from Latin 'carneus.' Actually: This is probably a folk etymology: many references trace the word instead to Old French 'corneline' (tied to Latin 'cornu'/'cornum'), with the 'flesh' association arising later by resemblance to 'caro/carnis.'
How to Pronounce Carnelian
Phonetic: kar-NEEL-yun IPA: /kɑːrˈniːliən/
Popularity of Carnelian
Carnelian doesn’t appear in U.S. Social Security birth records, which include every name given to at least five babies in a year — so it’s rare in the U.S.
Lists That Include Carnelian
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