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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Opal

45 replies

ButterRose · 06/05/2022 08:37

Opinions on the first name Opal please is it to old fashioned or could it work? It reminds me of my grandmother who means a great deal to me but I've never heard it as a 'younger' name except for one lady in her 90s I've actually never heard it at all .....

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DurdleSnore · 12/05/2022 22:36

I’m in my 30s and would still make the Opal Fruit connection. It’s not dreadful but middle name territory for me (just watch the initials with a vowel middle).

AcrobaticCardigan · 12/05/2022 21:51

Beautiful name - especially with the family connection!

AuntTwacky · 07/05/2022 01:16

Prefer Pearl

floppybit · 07/05/2022 01:14

It's beautiful!

SugarNspices · 07/05/2022 00:58

Not keen myself. My friend called her adult daughter it. Every time she talks about Opal I know it sounds strange but I just don't think of it as someone's name, it sounds to me as if you could be taking about food or a item of furniture.. the opal is undercooked, please take it back or my opal goes well with my new rug 😁

PennyRoyal · 07/05/2022 00:42

Summerholidayorcovidagain · 06/05/2022 19:08

I am 50!! Opal Fruits. Made to make your mouth water...

.
And now I have that tune as an ear worm!

OuchitHurtstoomuch · 07/05/2022 00:39

I love it. It's nice and unusual but pretty and strong too. I love opals too.

Kite22 · 07/05/2022 00:22

I immediately thought 'fruits' but Opal Fruits are rather yummy, so it's not like you are connecting with something bad.

I mean, it's not to my taste, but not a lot of the currently popular names are Smile

catsonahottinroof · 07/05/2022 00:02

I think this is a beautiful name. Go for it if you love it.

Fizzyfish · 06/05/2022 23:50

Tsuni · 06/05/2022 18:43

Every over 60 will mention Opal Fruits when you tell them

I'm mid 30s, they were opal fruits when I was young!

quietnightmare · 06/05/2022 23:44

Opal = Oh Paul

Trixiefirecracker · 06/05/2022 23:18

Love!

yourestandingonmyneck · 06/05/2022 23:18

...edited to add - I think it has a pleasing sound, but that'll depend on your accent.

I wouldn't have thought of the 'opeless connotation that previous posters have mentioned, but I guess that's something that will depend on your local accent.

yourestandingonmyneck · 06/05/2022 23:14

I do immediately think of opal fruits, but I wouldn't say that's necessarily bad.

It has a pleasing sound, Opal.

If it had been my grandmothers name, I would use it for a daughter.

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 23:11

WeasilyPleased · 06/05/2022 22:52

What about Pearl, @PrettyMaybug? Beryl doesn't sound like a stripper or a horse!
Opal is very pretty I think. Easy to say/spell and lovely family connection.

Oh do give over.

Pearl? Is the baby going to be born 85 years old?

And Beryl? REALLY? Come on! Hmm Who the F would call their baby daughter BERYL FFS?!

Hohofortherobbers · 06/05/2022 22:54

It immediately says bad luck to me.

WeasilyPleased · 06/05/2022 22:52

What about Pearl, @PrettyMaybug? Beryl doesn't sound like a stripper or a horse!
Opal is very pretty I think. Easy to say/spell and lovely family connection.

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 22:39

Apricote · 06/05/2022 21:57

I think jewel names are pretty perennial. Opal is a beautiful one.

Jewel names don't really work at all. Ruby and Jade are probably the only ones.

Sapphire, Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, Topaz, Onyx, Garnet, Peridot, Amethyst, Turquoise. None of them work as a first name for a child. They all sound like hookers or horses... Opal is not great. As has been said, whilst an opal is a beautiful stone, most people won't think of that, they will think of chewy sweets, or a car manufacturer.

PeekAtYou · 06/05/2022 22:00

Vauxhall is known as Opel in the EU.

Apricote · 06/05/2022 21:57

I think jewel names are pretty perennial. Opal is a beautiful one.

Mumofgirls2017 · 06/05/2022 21:33

I love it

CockSpadget · 06/05/2022 21:17

I love it, but I tend to love all the old names. It's one that is still very uncommon as well.

2tired2bewitty · 06/05/2022 20:43

Shakeitofffff · 06/05/2022 09:43

I love the name but at my yougest's school they have an opal session during playtimes. Outdoor Play And Learn. I just think of that when I hear it now

I was going to mention this too, but presumably it will be a few years before OP’s child starts school by which time it will be called something else (like ‘playtime’).

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 20:41

Vauxhall Opal.
Opel fruits.
Ope-less

It's a NO from me.

BaaMoon · 06/05/2022 20:39

Summerholidayorcovidagain · 06/05/2022 09:34

Please remember Starburst have gone back to Opal Fruits!!

Have they!

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