Opal

Pronunciation: [ OHP-uhl ]

Girl Name #449 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A shimmering gemstone name with vintage elegance

English Australian American

Vintage Elegant Earthy Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"precious gemstone"

Origin: Sanskrit

Language: English

"precious stone"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Opal

Opal Whiteley

Writer

1897

American diarist and naturalist known for her childhood nature journal

Opal Fictional

Other

Character in Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

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

Pairs Well With

Opal Grace Opal Jane Opal Rose Opal Mae Opal Pearl Opal Claire Opal Violet

Sibling Names

Ruby Pearl Ivy Flora Jasper Felix Hazel

Also a Boy Name

Opal is also used as a boy name, ranked #29702.

View Opal as a boy name →

Similar Names

Carol Karol Coraline Miral Koraline

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.