Peridot

• Origin: English
• Meaning: uncertain
• Gender: Female
• First Est. 1890s
• Eng Pron: PER-i-do, PER-i-daht

A very rare and unexpected gemstone name, peridot is a light-green jewel and the traditional birthstone of August. It has only rarely been used as a given name. It first appears in use in the late 19th century, around the same period that other gemstone names were coming into vogue, but never achieved the established usage of Ruby, Pearl or Opal. In 2023, it was given to five girls in the United States.

The etymology of the word is uncertain and disputed. English peridot ultimately derives from French péridot, from earlier Old French forms such as peridot and peritot. Its deeper origin is uncertain. One theory connects it with Anglo-Norman pedoretés and Latin pæderot, the name of a type of opal, while another derives it from Arabic farīda (gem; precious stone).

It is also the name of prominent female character in Steven Universe, first appearing in 2013.

Possible short forms include Perry/Peri, Dot, and Dottie.

Sister Names: Alchemy, Amethyst, Azalea, Bluebell, Brontë, Bryony, Calypso, Calliope, Celandine, Daisy, Daffodil, Dittany, Eden, Ember, Emerald, Fable, Fern, Fuchsia, Garnet, Genesis, Gerbena, Halcyone, Hero, Hyssop, India/Indiana, Ione, Ivy, Jade, Jessamine, Juniper, Katsura, Kestrel, Kismet, Lilac, Locket, Lotus, Magnolia, Marigold, Moon, Nautica, Navy, Nyx, Opal, Ondine, Onyx, Pearl, Plum, Primrose, Quartz, Quorra, Questa, Rainbow, Romilly, Roux, Sable, Saffron, Siena, Teal, Topaz, Turqouise, Umber, Urbaine, Ursa, Verity, Vespertine, Violet, Wanda, Willow, Wisteria, Yarrow, Ysatis, Yvaine, Xanthe, Xian(n)a, Xyla, Zelda, Zinnia, Zola

Brother Names: Ariel, Ash, August, Basil, Bear, Blaise, Caspian, Cedar, Cosmo, Damian, Dorian, Drake, Elm, Ender, Everest, Florian, Finch, Forest, Gray/Grey, Griffin, Grove, Hawthorn, Heath, Indigo, Jasper, Jett, Kai, Keanu, Legend, Linden, Lynx, Myth, Neo, Noah, North, Oberon, Orion, Onyx, Peregine, Phoenix, Quartz, Quince, Quill, Reuel, River, Rowan, Sterling, Stone, Sylvan, Tiger, Timber, Urban, Urs(us), Vale, Varian, West, Wilder

Sources

• https://www.nancy.cc/baby-name/peridot/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peridot
• https://www.oed.com/dictionary/peridot_n?tab=factsheet#31268167