Amethyst

Amethyst is an English gemstone name referring to a purple variety of quartz. The gem’s name comes ultimately from Greek, where it was associated with the idea of being free from drunkenness, reflecting an ancient belief about the stone. That historical word origin is different from a claim that the gem has any protective effect today.

Amethyst is traditionally the birthstone for February, which can give the name a personal connection to a birth month. M. M. Kaye used it for the heroine of The Ordinary Princess, who goes by Amy. That literary example provides a natural shorter form while leaving the full name’s gemstone and purple-color associations intact.