Names Inspired by Ruby

Ruby has been an English name since the eighteenth century. It became popular for the first time as part of the Victorian trend for nature names. Ruby was a top 100 name from 1888 to 1945 before hitting its low point at #401 in 1986. Since then, the name has risen again. Ruby has been a top 100 revival since 2013. 

While Ruby rarely left the top 400, it feels more vintage than classic in style. Plus, unlike Pearl and Violet, it is an old-fashioned gemstone name that feels bold and tailored. Finally, Ruby's "ee" ending makes it sound like a nickname despite its gemstone roots.

This list is for parents who love Ruby but want something less popular, are trying to name Ruby's sister, or for name lovers who simply want more names to love. 

Here are some alternatives below the top 100:

Belle

Vintage Belle sounds like a nickname for Isabelle despite being the French word for "beauty."  

Betty

Pop culture associations such as Betty Boop give this old-fashioned nickname a sassy kick. 

Billie

Billie is an old-fashioned nickname-name with Ruby's bold kick. 

Bonnie

Old-fashioned Bonnie is the Scottish word for "pretty" despite its nickname-like sound. 

Cherry

Cherry connects to a red fruit as Ruby connects to a red gemstone. Plus, it has a nickname-like sound.

Cleo

This sassy old-fashioned name sounds like a short form of Cleopatra.

Coral

Nature name Coral feels slightly tailored. Plus, it is a shade of orange, which is close to Ruby's red.

Daphne

Daphne is a name with history that connects to the natural world through the goddess who became a laurel tree and ends in the "ee" sound. 

Dixie

Dixie is a bold old-fashioned name with a nickname-like sound. 

Faye

Faye feels tailored and old-fashioned. It also connects to fairies, which connect to nature in folklore.

Goldie

This vintage nickname-name has a long vowel sound and connects to gold, both a color and a material. 

Junie

June could work, but old-fashioned nickname-name Junie is even less common.

Lena

Lena is short for multiple names, including Helena and Magdalena. Its old-fashioned sound also makes it a Ruby substitute.  

Lula

Vintage nickname-like Lula has Ruby's long "u" sound.

Mabel

Mabel is a bold vintage name that has Ruby's mid-"b" sound. 

Opal

Like Ruby, Opal is a vintage and tailored four-letter gemstone name. 

Pearl

Another vintage gemstone-name, Pearl and Ruby go hand-in-hand via musical associations Pearl Jam and Ruby Tuesday.

Penny

Tailored Penny sounds like a nickname, but it also refers to a coin. 

Poppy

Poppy refers to a red flower while also sounding like a nickname. 

Reba

Bold Reba is a four-letter name sharing Ruby's two-syllable "r-b" pattern. 

Rosie

Rose is getting more popular, but nickname Rosie connects to the same red flower. Associations such as cultural icon Rosie the Riveter also give it strength. 

Ruthie

Vintage nickname Ruthie sounds almost too similar to Ruby, but its pronunciation is more drawn-out. 

Tansy

Tansy, like Poppy, is a flower name that sounds like a nickname. 

Trudy

Old-fashioned Trudy has Ruby's long "u" sound and "y" ending. 

Which of these alternatives do you like best? What names would you add?

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