"precious gemstone"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: English
Opal
Pronunciation: [ OHP-uhl ]
Does Opal flow with your last name?
A shimmering gemstone name with vintage elegance
English
Australian
American
Vintage
Elegant
Earthy
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"precious stone"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Historically considered unlucky in some Western traditions (a superstition largely faded by the 20th century)
The Story of Opal
Opal derives from the Sanskrit word upala, meaning precious stone, which passed through Greek opalios and Latin opalus into English. The opal gemstone is famous for its play of colors, called opalescence, which gives it an almost magical appearance. As a name, Opal belongs to the Victorian-era tradition of gemstone names for girls, alongside Ruby, Pearl, and Garnet.
Opal peaked in popularity in the early 20th century, ranking in the top 50 US names around 1910-1920. It fell out of fashion mid-century but has been experiencing a strong revival since 2010 as vintage names have returned to favor.
Opal is the national gemstone of Australia, which produces 95% of the world's opals. In Roman mythology, the opal was considered the most precious of gems and was associated with good luck.
Historical Record
Opal first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,794 babies have been named Opal in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Opal is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #449 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Australia produces about 95% of the world supply of precious opals
- The word opal originally meant precious stone in Sanskrit before becoming specific to the gem
Opal in Other Languages
French
Opale
German
Opal
Italian
Opale
Spanish
Opalo
Japanese
Oparu
Popularity Over Time
#449
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Opal
O
Opal Whiteley
Writer
1897
American diarist and naturalist known for her childhood nature journal
O
Opal Fictional
Other
Character in Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
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Compare Opal with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #449
- Total SSA Count
- 694
- Cultural Origins
- English Australian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Opie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Opal
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Opal is also used as a boy name, ranked #29702.
View Opal as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old English æspe origin
"aspen tree"
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Roman origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Opal
What does the name Opal mean?
"precious gemstone" (from Sanskrit). "precious stone" (from Latin). Opal derives from the Sanskrit word upala, meaning precious stone, which passed through Greek opalios and Latin opalus into English. The opal gemstone is famous for its play of colors, called opalescence, which gives it an almost magical appearance. As a name, Opal belongs to the Victorian-era tradition of gemstone names for girls, alongside Ruby, Pearl, and Garnet.
What is the origin of the name Opal?
Opal has Sanskrit, Latin, English, Australian, and American origins. In Sanskrit, it means "precious gemstone". In Latin, it means "precious stone".
Is Opal a boy or girl name?
Opal is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #449. As a boy name, it is ranked #29702. Opal is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Opal?
Opal is pronounced OHP-uhl.
How popular is the name Opal?
Opal is currently ranked #449 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Opal?
Common nicknames for Opal include Opie.
What are good middle names for Opal?
Popular middle name pairings include Opal Grace, Opal Jane, Opal Rose, Opal Mae, Opal Pearl, Opal Claire, and Opal Violet.
What are good sibling names for Opal?
Names that pair well with Opal as siblings include Ruby, Pearl, Ivy, Flora, Jasper, Felix, and Hazel.
How many syllables does Opal have?
Opal has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Opal a common or rare name?
Opal is a popular name, ranked #449 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Opal
Opal is a girl name with English, Australian, and American origins . The name means "precious gemstone" in Sanskrit .
Is Opal a boy or girl name? Opal is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #449 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,702. Opal is more commonly used as a girl name.
Opal is currently ranked #449 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Opal has 2 syllables and is pronounced OHP-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Opal include Opie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis