What Does the Name Onyx Mean?
Onyx is a unisex name of English (from Greek) origin meaning “claw / fingernail (the gemstone).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Onyx |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | English (from Greek) |
| Meaning | claw / fingernail (the gemstone) |
| Variants | Onix, Onyxx |
| Popularity | Most popular in the United States, where it is a fast-rising modern name used slightly more for boys than girls. |
The meaning and origin of Onyx
The name Onyx means “claw / fingernail (the gemstone)” and has English (from Greek) origins. Onyx is the name of the banded black gemstone, taken from Greek 'onyx' meaning 'claw' or 'fingernail,' because the stone's veined coloring was thought to resemble a fingernail. It is a modern gemstone name.
Variants and related names
Onyx is related to several other names you may recognize: Onix, Onyxx. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Onyx?
Most popular in the United States, where it is a fast-rising modern name used slightly more for boys than girls.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Onyx mean?+
The name Onyx means “claw / fingernail (the gemstone)” and is of English (from Greek) origin.
What is the origin of the name Onyx?+
Onyx originates from English (from Greek).
Is Onyx a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Onyx has trended in the US over time.
Onyx by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press