Baby Name Popularity Profile

Opal

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Opal.

✦ Gemstone 🌍 English nature
National Rank (2025) #423
All-Time Peak Rank #81 Achieved 1911
Total U.S. Births 73,539 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 0.0% Boy / 100.0% Girl Female Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 1920s 2,847 births in 1918
💡 The Opal Vibe: Considered a Vintage Revival. A classic name from early generations that is currently experiencing a measurable statistical resurgence.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Gemstone
Language Origin English
Origin Type single
Derived from the English word 'opal', referring to the gemstone. The word itself originates from Sanskrit 'upala' (precious stone), via Greek 'opallios' and Latin 'opalus'.
Common Nicknames
Pal
Pronunciation: OH-puhl
Themes & Categories
nature
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Opal

According to SSA data, Opal achieved its highest historical rank of #81 in 1911. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1918 with 2,847 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 217.6%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Opal across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Fast Rising
10-Year Shift +217.6% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 2,847 births in 1918
Years in Top 100 16 yrs
Years in Top 500 70 yrs
Registry Streak 146 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
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

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Op-al
Letter Count 4 letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Length Percentile Longer than 1.4% of names
Linguistic Profile: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with O, a letter used by only 1.4% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Opal.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Oklahoma
Top States Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri
States with Data 46
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Oklahoma #261 5,305 1918 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia #200 3,091 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #161 3,464 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #242 4,970 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #253 4,255 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #251 1,978 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #221 1,124 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #278 3,119 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #358 2,357 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #221 1,570 1918 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota #153 355 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho #138 391 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 1,185 1923 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #738 6,595 1920 +24.2% Growth
Indiana #304 2,008 1915 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota #241 236 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #705 1,909 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Montana #99 206 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #127 574 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #367 704 1918 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #422 1,661 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #370 2,650 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 75 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #372 1,201 1923 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #585 950 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #564 2,346 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #229 581 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #325 660 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #177 263 2025 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 153 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #326 909 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #323 439 1925 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #553 311 1922 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #579 701 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #470 202 2024 Insufficient historical volume
California #694 1,300 2022 +7.1% Growth
Alaska #104 18 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #752 681 1919 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada #584 39 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Maine #201 45 1919 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 11 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #590 36 2025 Insufficient historical volume
New York #1015 177 2024 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 5 2023 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey Unranked 6 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts Unranked 5 2020 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Julius Francis Frank Emil Arno Myer Cleo Ivor Roma Alma
👧 Sister Suggestions
Alma Helen Edith Hattie Florence Leona Mae Anna Vera Lola

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