Jade

Amber

Arabic · “Taken from the English word amber, denoting the golden-yellow fossilised tree resin used in jewellery. The word itself derives from the Arabic 'anbar, via Middle Latin ambar and Old French ambre. The name began to appear as a given name in the late 19th century but achieved widespread popularity after the publication of Kathleen Winsor's bestselling novel Forever Amber in 1944.”

Emerald

Greek · “From the English word emerald, denoting the brilliant green gemstone, derived via Old French esmeraude and Medieval Latin esmaralda/smaragdus from the Greek smaragdos, which may ultimately come from a Semitic root. Emerald as a given name is a gemstone name in the tradition of Ruby, Pearl, and Jade, evoking vivid colour, rarity, and value. It has been used as a feminine given name in English since at least the 19th century.”

Jasper

Persian · “Jasper is a masculine given name of Persian origin, derived from the Old Persian yashp meaning "treasurer." It became widely used in medieval Europe through the tradition of naming one of the Three Wise Men Jasper (or Caspar). The name has no etymological connection to the gemstone jasper, which derives from a different root.”

Bibiana

“Bibiana is a feminine given name used in Spanish and Italian, a variant of Viviana, from the Latin Vivianus — derived from vivus meaning "alive, living". The name was borne by Saint Bibiana (Viviana), a 4th-century Roman Christian martyr whose remains were enshrined in the Basilica di Santa Bibiana in Rome. The Roman church dedicated to her was rebuilt by Gian Lorenzo Bernini under Pope Urban VIII in 1624–1626.”

Encarnacion

“Encarnación is a Spanish feminine name derived from the Catholic feast of the Incarnation (La Encarnación), commemorating the moment when God became flesh in the person of Jesus. From the Latin incarnatio, "act of being made flesh". It is a distinctly Iberian religious name, especially common in Andalusia and other devout regions of Spain, often shortened to Encarna.”

Manuela

“Manuela is the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian feminine form of Manuel, itself derived from the Hebrew Immanuel meaning "God is with us," composed of im (with), anu (us), and El (God). The name carries deep biblical resonance as the name given to the prophesied Messiah in Isaiah. It is common in Latin American and southern European cultures, and appears occasionally in Slavic regions.”

Juan Jose

“Juan José is a Spanish compound masculine given name combining Juan (from the Hebrew Yochanan, "God is gracious") and José (from the Hebrew Yosef, "God will add"). Compound names of this type are deeply embedded in Iberian Catholic naming tradition, often honouring two saints simultaneously. The combination is one of the most classic double-barrelled names in Spain and Latin America.”

Linda

“In Spanish and Portuguese, linda simply means "pretty" or "beautiful," making it a straightforward word-name. However, as an English name it more likely developed as a feminine suffix form attached to names like Belinda or Melinda. The element -linda in Germanic names derives from the Old High German lind, meaning "soft," "gentle," or "serpent." Linda exploded in popularity across the English-speaking world in the 1940s and 1950s.”

Soledad

“From the Spanish soledad, meaning "solitude" or "loneliness," derived from the Latin solitudo. It is used as a given name in honour of the Virgin Mary under her title Nuestra Señora de la Soledad ("Our Lady of Solitude"), who represents Mary's grief after the Crucifixion. The name is primarily used in Spanish-speaking countries and among Hispanic communities.”