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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Named for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin spina, 'thorn,' via Italian spinella, likely referencing the mineral's pointed crystals
- Origin
- Italian (via Latin), gemstone name
- Pronunciation
- spih-NEL
Spinel is a name taken from the gemstone, which comes from the Latin spina, meaning 'thorn,' by way of the Italian spinella. It likely refers to the mineral's pointed crystals. It's pronounced spih-NEL, and it's an Italian-rooted gemstone name that stands apart from the more familiar jewel names.
Meaning & Origin of Spinel
Meaning: Named for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin spina, 'thorn,' via Italian spinella, likely referencing the mineral's pointed crystals.
Origin: Italian (via Latin), gemstone name.
How to Pronounce Spinel
spih-NELIPA /spɪˈnɛl/
Popularity of Spinel
Spinel does not appear in U.S. Social Security birth-name records (38,443 names on file, 1880–present) — likely too rare, too new, or recorded under a different spelling. No popularity rank or trend is shown rather than an invented one.
FAQ
What does the name Spinel mean?
Named for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin spina, ‘thorn,’ via Italian spinella, likely referencing the mineral’s pointed crystals.
How do you pronounce Spinel?
Spinel is pronounced spih-NEL (IPA: /spɪˈnɛl/).
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