Opel

♀ Girl

Pronounced OH-puhl /ˈoʊ.pəl/Medium

Meaning: Opel is a variant spelling of Opal, the iridescent gemstone name, whose word traces back through Latin opalus to Sanskrit upala ('jewel, precious stone'). The e-spelling gives the birthstone name a slightly different look.Low

In 30 seconds: Opel is a variant of Opal, the shimmering gemstone name from Sanskrit for 'jewel.' A vintage jewel-name, always rare (said OH-puhl).

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowEnglish, Sanskrit

MeaningOpel is a variant spelling of Opal, the iridescent gemstone name, whose word traces back through Latin opalus to Sanskrit upala ('jewel, precious stone'). The e-spelling gives the birthstone name a slightly different look.

U.S. rank (1977)#8162 ↘ Falling

1977 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1924

Total births (all-time)≈ 277

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Opel is a spelling variant of Opal, one of the gemstone names that flourished among early-twentieth-century American girls. The word travels from Sanskrit upala ('jewel, stone') through Latin opalus into English, naming the play-of-color gem.

It stayed a rarity, given to only about fifteen girls a year around the nineteen-twenties. An Opel from that time would be of a great-grandmother's generation now.

Did you know? Opal was one of the birthstone names beloved in the early nineteen-hundreds; Opel is simply that gem-name in a slightly altered spelling.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Opel — Variant of Opal; Sanskrit upala 'jewel'; early-century gemstone-name fashion

Variations

OpalOpallOpaline

Nicknames

Opie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Opel…

Opal— the standard spelling Opel varies

Pearl— a like vintage jewel name

Ruby— a similar gemstone girl's name

Beryl— a like early-century gem name

Explore names like Opel

By themeenglish vintage variant gemstone

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Opel mean?

It is a variant of Opal, the gemstone name, from Sanskrit upala ('jewel, precious stone').

How do you pronounce Opel?

It is said OH-puhl /ˈoʊ.pəl/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Opel a boy or girl name?

Opel is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Opel?

It has always been rare, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak.