How to say it
O · pal
ˈoʊ.pəl
Feminine
Opal
The opal gemstone
What it means
An English gem name from the opal, whose name traces through Latin and Greek to the Sanskrit upala, 'precious stone.'
Opal is a gemstone name for the shifting, iridescent stone, traced back through Latin opalus to the Sanskrit upala, 'precious stone.' It joins the antique jewel names with Ruby and Pearl and is the October birthstone, which makes it a natural for autumn babies. It reads vintage and quietly luminous, riding the early-1900s revival. Soft and jewel-bright.
How to spell Opal
The standard spelling is Opal. Common variants include Opaline, Opalina, but Opal is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #81 in 1911, currently #423 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
A gemstone name like Ruby and Pearl; the October birthstone.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Opal the iridescent gemstone and October birthstone the name is taken from
Spelling variants
- Opaline
- Opalina
Names with the same feeling
See Opal from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Opal mean?
- An English gem name from the opal, whose name traces through Latin and Greek to the Sanskrit upala, 'precious stone.'
- What does Opal mean in English?
- In English, Opal means "The opal gemstone." Opal is a gemstone name for the shifting, iridescent stone, traced back through Latin opalus to the Sanskrit upala, 'precious stone.' It joins the antique jewel names with Ruby and Pearl and is the October birthstone, which makes it a natural for autumn babies. It reads vintage and quietly luminous, riding the early-1900s revival. Soft and jewel-bright.
- How do you pronounce Opal?
- Opal is pronounced ˈoʊ.pəl. Say it as O-pal, with the stress on the "o" syllable.
- How do you spell Opal?
- The standard spelling is Opal. Common spelling variants include Opaline, Opalina.
- Is Opal a boy or girl name?
- Opal is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Opal?
- Opal ranked #423 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.