Onyx

Onyx comes from the Latin onyx and Greek onyx, originally meaning "claw" or "fingernail" — a reference to the translucent, flesh-colored layers visible in the gem. Onyx is a variety of chalcedony characterized by its parallel bands of black and white, though the name is commonly associated with pure black stones. As a name, it evokes deep, lustrous darkness and a polished, mineral strength.

Onyx ranks #201 among America's most popular pet names, typically chosen for companions with a deep black coat that has the polished, gleaming quality of the gemstone. Gemstone names for pets have a long tradition — Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Onyx — because they express value in a language that is entirely visual. Onyx has a particularly sleek, modern quality: it sounds like a name from a science fiction film or a tech company, which gives it an edge that other color-inspired names do not carry.