How to say it
ON · yx
ˈɑː.nɪks
Unisex
Onyx
The black gemstone
What it means
From the Greek onyx, 'claw' or 'fingernail,' which became the name of the banded black stone.
Onyx comes from the Greek onyx, literally 'claw' or 'fingernail,' a word that attached to the smooth banded stone, most familiar in its glossy black form. As a name it is bold, sleek, and gender-neutral, part of the wave of gemstone and mineral names. The sharp -x ending lands it among Knox, Jax, and Phoenix. It reads dark and striking, and it is rising fast.
How to spell Onyx
The standard spelling is Onyx. Common variants include Onix, Onyxx, but Onyx is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #1228 in 2023, currently #1410 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #307 in 2023, currently #365 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
Unisex; a gemstone name with a glossy-black image.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Onyx the banded black gemstone the name is taken from
Spelling variants
- Onix
- Onyxx
Names with the same feeling
See Onyx from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Onyx mean?
- From the Greek onyx, 'claw' or 'fingernail,' which became the name of the banded black stone.
- What does Onyx mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Onyx means "The black gemstone." Onyx comes from the Greek onyx, literally 'claw' or 'fingernail,' a word that attached to the smooth banded stone, most familiar in its glossy black form. As a name it is bold, sleek, and gender-neutral, part of the wave of gemstone and mineral names. The sharp -x ending lands it among Knox, Jax, and Phoenix. It reads dark and striking, and it is rising fast.
- How do you pronounce Onyx?
- Onyx is pronounced ˈɑː.nɪks. Say it as ON-yx, with the stress on the "on" syllable.
- How do you spell Onyx?
- The standard spelling is Onyx. Common spelling variants include Onix, Onyxx.
- Is Onyx a boy or girl name?
- Onyx is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Onyx?
- Onyx ranked #1410 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.