Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Opal
GirlSanskrit, Latin· “opal, the gemstone”
- Meaning
- opal, the gemstone
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Latin
- Pronunciation
- OH-puhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #423
- US babies 2025
- 740
- Best rank
- #81 (1911)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Opal
Opal is a Sanskrit and Latin name that means “opal, the gemstone”.
Opal is the name of an iridescent gemstone that shimmers with flashes of color. The word came into English through Latin opalus and Greek, and it is usually traced ultimately to the Sanskrit upala, stone or precious stone. Opal was a popular name in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, in the same era as Pearl and Ruby. It has returned to favor as part of the vintage revival. Opal is gentle, distinctive and a little whimsical, and it is the traditional birthstone for October.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ople.
Popularity over time
Opal has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 90 different years. Its best national rank was #81 in 1911, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 2,847 were named Opal. In 2025, 740 babies were named Opal, and it ranked #423 nationally. That is 218% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #101 in 1920, #585 in 1950, #1,744 in 1980, #3,959 in 2000, #2,336 in 2010, and #423 in 2025. Of the 73,539 US girls named Opal since records began, 29% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 20,386 babies. Since 2010, 5,836 more have been named Opal.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Blanche, Mae, Lena, Jennie, and Marguerite.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Opal ranked highest in Montana, Alaska, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #99 | 10 |
| Alaska | #104 | 7 |
| Oregon | #127 | 27 |
| Idaho | #138 | 15 |
| South Dakota | #153 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Opal is usually pronounced OH-puhl, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with O and ends in “-al”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ople.
Middle names for Opal
A few middle names that flow with Opal: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Opal
Similar names
Ruby Girl
ROO-bee
“red gemstone” · Latin
#64
Gemma Girl
JEH-muh
“gem, precious stone” · Italian
#170
Crystal Girl
KRIHS-tuhl
“crystal, ice” · Greek
#1,145
Rubie Girl
ROO-bee
“variant of Ruby, red gemstone” · English
#4,051
Eva Girl
EE-vuh
“life” · Latin
#134
Margaret Girl
MAHR-gur-iht
“pearl” · Greek
#112
Lucille Girl
loo-SEEL
“light” · French
#239
Vera Girl
VEER-uh
“faith” · Russian
#205
Royal Unisex
ROY-uhl
“royal, of a king” · English
#476
Mabel Girl
MAY-buhl
“lovable” · English
#201
Frances Girl
FRAN-sihs
“Frenchman, Frankish” · Latin
#318
Rosa Girl
ROH-zuh
“rose” · Latin
#653
Lists that include Opal
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Opal mean?
Opal is a Sanskrit and Latin name that means “opal, the gemstone”.
What is the origin of the name Opal?
Opal has Sanskrit, Latin, and Greek roots. Opal is the name of an iridescent gemstone that shimmers with flashes of color.
Is Opal a popular name?
Yes. Opal ranked #423 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Opal a boy or girl name?
Opal is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Opal?
Opal is usually pronounced OH-puhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings