Ruby

Associated with the ruby gemstone.

Ruby is a feminine given name that’s long established in English-language usage. It’s directly associated with the ruby gemstone, so the name often carries an immediate color-and-stone association without needing a complicated backstory. From an etymology standpoint, Ruby as a name follows the English word for the gemstone. The gemstone term is commonly connected to Latin ‘ruber’ meaning ‘red’, which explains why ruby is so consistently tied to deep red color imagery across different contexts. Pronunciation is usually ROO-bee (two syllables). A practical tip is that Ruby is generally straightforward to spell and say, and it also has an easy everyday short form like Rue if you like nickname options.

Etymology: Used in English as a given name, ultimately linked to the gemstone name (commonly connected to Latin ‘ruber’, ‘red’).