Given name & surname
Opal
Opal is used as a given name and a surname. One Sanskrit interpretation is “a treasured jewel; resembling the iridescent gemstone.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Sanskrit interpretation is “a treasured jewel; resembling the iridescent gemstone.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Sanskrit.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Opal through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 74,257
- 718 boys · 73,539 girls
- Most popular year
- 1918
- 2,886 babies
- 2025
- 740
- #423 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +80%
- Rising fast
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 740 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 423 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 80.0% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 2,847 in 1918. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (45). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 13,016 as a first name in 2020; 412 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Opal’s family of names
Opal has a related form in Opel. Opal has a related form in Opala. Opal has a related form in Opale.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 12
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Opalinevariant
- Opelvariant
- Opalynevariant
- Opalynavariant
- Opaleenevariant
- Opaleenavariant
- Opalinavariant
- Opalavariant
Show 4 moreShow fewer
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Opal
- Ayọ TometiAmerican human rights activistborn 1984
- Opral BensonNigerian entrepreneur and socialiteborn 1935
- Opal KunzAmerican aviator (1894–1967)
- Opal Palmer AdisaAmerican poet and academic (born 1954)
- Opal LeeAfrican-American retired teacher, counselor, and activistborn 1926
- Opal WhiteleyAmerican writer (1897-1992)
- Opal SoferIsraeli association footballerborn 1997
- Jean TrentAmerican actor (1920-2005)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Opal, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ila
“of the earth” · “from the island”
>99% girls
Estella
“resembling a star”
>99% girls
Estelle
“star”
>99% girls
Hazel
“from the hazel tree”
>99% girls
Rosie
“horse” · “fame”
>99% girls
May
“gift of God” · “a gift from God”
>99% girls
Fern
“resembling a green shadeloving plant”
2% boys · 98% girls
Rosella
“horse” · “fame”
>99% girls