Opal

People associate gemstones with different colors, but one of them, the birthstone of October, has the rainbow (though the stone is usually white).

Opal, from the Sanskrit upala meaning "jewel," has been precious from ancient days. Since the Middle Ages, it has been worn by women as a symbol of good luck and hope. Perhaps the stone was a favorite of Queen Victoria, which helped promote it to given name status. Opal's moment was not in England, though, but in the United States.

Opal ranked in the United States top 100 between 1904 and 1919, peaking in the 80s. Violet did not rank high in the top 100 during her run, either, yet now she's much more popular than ever. The same might eventually happen to Opal, yet only time will tell. She returned to the top 1000 in 2017 after and fifty-six-year absence and has since risen into the top 500. 

The name has also been rising in England. There, Opal entered the top 1000 in 2022 and has since risen into the 500s. She might speed up in England (where many vintage names come back first), or keep up her American streak for years to come. 

Overall, Opal charms as a reviving vintage pick and a name with lots of positive meaning. Her rainbow connection even brings to mind God's covenant promise to Noah and everyone in his ark after the flood in the biblical book of Genesis. Opal makes a great alternative to fellow rainbow name Iris.  


POPULARITY LEVEL: #250-500


NOTABLE REAL-LIFE NAMESAKES:

  • American golfer Opal Hill (1892-1981)
  • American aviator Opal Kunz (1894-1967)
  • American nature writer Opal Whiteley (1897-1992)
  • American Juneteenth activist Opal Lee (1926-)
NOTABLE FICTIONAL NAMESAKES:
  • Young girl protagonist (India) Opal Buloni in Kate DiCamillo's 2000 children's novel Because of Winn-Dixie 
  • Puddle's young cousin Opal in children's television series Toot and Puddle (2008-2011)
  • Airbender Opal Beifong in Nickelodeon animated series The Legend of Korra (2012-2014)
  • Recurring character Opal Weise in television series When Calls the Heart (2015-)
  • Agent Opal in PBS Kids television series Odd Squad (starred 2020-2022)

SISTERS: Alma, Cleo, Flora, Goldie, Ida, June, Lula, Mavis, Olive, Winnie

BROTHERS: Amos, Basil, Edgar, Forrest, Harvey, Ivo, Mack, Otto, Percy, Rex


ALTERNATIVES: Beryl, Coral, Estelle, Jewel, Ocie, Olga, Olivine, Pearl, Sybil, Topaz




FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Opal." Names, Behind the Name, 8 Dec. 2017, https://www.behindthename.com/name/opal. 

"Opal | Name Art Print." NameStories, 2025, https://namestories.com/products/opal-girl-name-print-classic.

Sandel, Abby. "Baby Name of the Day: Opal." Master List: Girl Names, Appellation Mountain, 30 Aug. 2025, https://appellationmountain.net/name-of-the-day-opal/.


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