A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Opal since 1880
Babies named Opal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Opal's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 294 |
| 1890s | 1,666 |
| 1900s | 6,791 |
| 1910s | 20,386 |
| 1920s | 21,542 |
| 1930s | 8,529 |
| 1940s | 3,792 |
| 1950s | 1,712 |
| 1960s | 897 |
| 1970s | 704 |
| 1980s | 527 |
| 1990s | 304 |
| 2000s | 559 |
| 2010s | 2,167 |
| 2020s | 3,669 |
Meaning & origin
Opal is a gemstone name that saw its peak popularity in 1909, when it ranked highest among U.S. births. After decades of decline, the name has been steadily rising again since 1995. In 2025, it ranked 423rd with roughly 1 in 2,172 baby girls receiving the name. While the name was first recorded in 1880, it gained particular favor in states like Alaska, Montana, and South Dakota. The revival of vintage names and the appeal of nature-inspired choices have contributed to Opal's modern resurgence.
Opal derives from the Sanskrit word upala, meaning 'gem' or 'precious stone,' via Greek opallios and Latin opalus. The name was adopted into English as a vocabulary word for the gemstone and came into use as a given name in the late 19th century, part of the Victorian fashion for jewel names.
Where Opal is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Opie, Polly
Variants: Opaline, Ophelia (unrelated but phonetically similar)
Sibling names for Opal
Names that share Opal's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Pearl, Ruby, Jade, Hazel, Ivy, Ada, Beryl, Bulah, Doretha, Elouise, Emerald, Eulah, Garnet, Ivory, Jewell, Pearlie, Rubi, Rubie, Rubye, Twila, Cordia, Ozella, Pearle, Pearlene, Pearly, Silver, Trula, Beryle, Cleola, Diamon, Garnetta, Garnette, Ivorie, Jewelz, Lurene, Maudell, Odelle, Onalee, Parlee, Pearla, Pearlean, Pearley, Perl, Perlie, Pluma, Reather, Saphire, Willadean, Willodean, Goldia, Iretta, Jeweline, Jewels, Laverle, Lether, Modean, Odeal, Odella, Ople, Pearlee, Pearlena, Rubby, Rubee, Rubyann, Topaz, Verlena, Belvie, Gem, Minetta, Olivet, Pearlina, Perle, Rubylee, Safire, Saphyre, Sylver, Verdine
Brothers: Jasper, Oscar, Felix, Arthur, Jewel, Onyx, Lugene, Aero, Cloyce, Eulas, Lonzie, Luster, Oree, Ovie, Cleatis, Oland, Onis, Orbin, Silus, Vondell, Xylo, Alphus, Azell, Flemon, Idus, Juell, Kroi, Plez
