Opal
Opal is a girls' name of Sanskrit origin meaning “Precious gemstone, jewel.” It ranked #423 in the United States in 2025. Derived from Sanskrit 'upala' meaning precious stone.
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how do you pronounce Opal?
OH-pul
where does the name Opal come from?
Through the Latin opalus from the Greek opallios, ultimately from the Sanskrit upala, jewel or precious stone.
Opal is the birthstone for October and was beloved in the Victorian and Edwardian eras before fading and now surging again as a vintage gem name.
how popular is this name?
Opal has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 90 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 56. It peaked at #81 in 1911, and ranked #423 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #423 |
| 2024 | #449 |
| 2023 | #485 |
| 2022 | #524 |
| 2021 | #545 |
| 2020 | #648 |
| 2019 | #680 |
| 2018 | #807 |
| 2017 | #847 |
| 1960 | #920 |
| 1950 | #584 |
| 1940 | #273 |
| 1930 | #156 |
| 1920 | #101 |
| 1911 | #81 |
| 1910 | #87 |
| 1900 | #140 |
| 1890 | #280 |
| 1880 | #836 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Opal fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Opal
Opal is the birthstone for October and was called the queen of gems in ancient Rome. As a given name it came into use with other gemstone names in the late Victorian era, faded, and has recently risen again with renewed interest in vintage, nature-rooted names.
who are famous people named Opal?
- Opal Whiteley
what names are similar to Opal?
what names go well with Opal?
Sibling names that share Opal's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Opal
What does the name Opal mean?
Opal means “Precious gemstone, jewel”.
What is the origin of the name Opal?
Opal comes from the Sanskrit naming tradition.
How popular is the name Opal?
Opal ranked #423 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1911, at #81, and it has spent 90 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Opal a boy or girl name?
Opal is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Opal?
Opal is pronounced OH-pul, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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