Opal (given name)


Opal is a primarily feminine given name derived from the name of the gemstone opal. The gemstone is the birthstone for October. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit, which means 'jewel'. It came into use along with other gemstone names during the late Victorian era. The iridescent, many-colored gem was called the "queen of gems" in ancient Rome. The name has recently increased in usage, a trend that has been attributed to a renewed interest in "cottagecore names" with a vintage sensibility that are rooted in the natural world. Author Laura Wattenberg calls the sound of the name unique.
Opal was among the 100 most popular names for girls born in the United States from 1904 to 1919 and remained among the top 500 most popular names for girls there until 1950. It declined in popularity but has again increased in usage. It has been among the 1,000 most popular names for American girls since 2017. It was the 344th most common name for females in the United States in the 1990 census. It has ranked among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in England and Wales since 2022.

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Fictional characters