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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Banded gemstone; from Greek for 'claw, fingernail'
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Neutral
- Pronunciation
- ON-iks
Onyx is a Greek-origin name, listed as gender-neutral, that points straight to the banded gemstone — the word itself comes from the Greek for 'claw' or 'fingernail,' describing the stone's nail-like bands. You may have seen Onyx explained as meaning 'strength and protection,' but that's modern crystal lore, not the actual linguistic root. Pronounced ON-iks, it carries a bold edge with a vintage feel.
Meaning & Origin of Onyx
Meaning: Banded gemstone; from Greek for 'claw, fingernail'.
Origin: Greek.
A common claim: black gemstone, associated with strength and protection Actually: Onyx doesn't linguistically mean 'strength and protection' — that's modern crystal lore. The Greek root onyx literally means 'claw, fingernail,' describing the stone's nail-like bands.
How to Pronounce Onyx
ON-iksIPA /ˈɑːnɪks/
Popularity of Onyx
Onyx peaked at #307 in the U.S. in 2023 with 1,077 babies given the name, then eased to #358 in 2024 with 927.
Names Like Onyx
These names share Onyx’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Onyx mean?
Banded gemstone; from Greek for ‘claw, fingernail’.
How do you pronounce Onyx?
Onyx is pronounced ON-iks (IPA: /ˈɑːnɪks/).
Is Onyx a popular name right now?
Onyx peaked at #307 in 2023 and is ranked #358 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1918–2024.)
Make Onyx Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Onyx, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Onyx? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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