Find out how popular the first name Topaz has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Topaz by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Topaz is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Topaz being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Topaz.

The history of the first name Topaz

The name Topaz is derived from the gemstone of the same name, which is a semi-precious silicate mineral that comes in various shades of yellow, orange, brown, and blue. The word "topaz" itself is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, where it was known as "tapaz" or "tapas," meaning "fire" or "heat."

The topaz gemstone has been prized for its beauty and rarity since ancient times. In ancient Greek literature, the philosopher Pliny the Elder mentioned the topaz in his work "Naturalis Historia" (Natural History), describing it as a gemstone found on the island of Topazios in the Red Sea (now known as St. John's Island or Zabargad).

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Topaz can be found in the 16th century. In 1592, a Dutch explorer named Cornelis de Houtman brought back a collection of topaz gemstones from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. These gemstones quickly became popular in Europe, and the name "Topaz" began to be used as a given name.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Topaz. One of the earliest was Topaz Pickering (1679-1738), an English botanist and naturalist who was a fellow of the Royal Society. Another notable figure was Topaz McGarrigle (1793-1868), an Irish writer and playwright who authored several works in the early 19th century.

In the 20th century, Topaz Tufts-Lerchen (1904-1981) was an American artist and sculptor known for her abstract metal works. Topaz Meenavalli (1924-2008) was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who helped popularize the Kuchipudi dance form.

More recently, Topaz Gemini (born 1961) is an American author and spiritual teacher who has written several books on personal growth and self-empowerment.

While the name Topaz was originally inspired by the gemstone, it has since taken on a life of its own as a unique and distinctive given name, particularly in the English-speaking world. Its association with the beautiful and valuable gemstone has contributed to its enduring popularity.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Topaz was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Topaz, please contact us.

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