About the name Opal
The origin of Opal is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Sanskrit roots, with the meaning “Precious stone”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Opal we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a vintage, nature, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Opal ranked #423 for girls in the US, with 740 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2025. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Opal were girls.
- US rank 2025
- #423
- In 2015
- #1110
- Babies in 2025
- 740
Popularity of Opal, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Opal
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Opal on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Opal. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Opal
Opal is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.
Names similar to Opal
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.