View Message

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

[Opinions] Re: Opal
in reply to a message by whim
I don't consider myself a superstitious person, but whenever I see Opal, I can't help but think of the bad luck the stone apparently brings. It is a beautiful and most interesting stone and I can appreciate the name for it's unusual sound and aesthetic, but it almost seems unusable and kind of out there to me. In regards to your combinations, and disregarding the above, I think Opal Athena is darling, as is Opal Rosalie. Opal Marietta seems like a brand name to me and Opal Anais feels a little flimsy for some reason.


Ottilie


http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/116467
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

Actually, Opals are supposed to represent very powerful good luck. I think there was a novel written about a guy who wore an opal, and it was cursed by bad holy water (or something) and became a talisman of death. It was a popular novel sometime in the 1800s and maybe that is where the theory of bad luck comes from. Originally however, Opals were supposed to be more powerful than all the gemstomes because they included all of the colors in the spectrum. From what I remember, it is supposed to be especially good luck in terms of fertility and health. And... there was an old superstition that if you wrapped an opal in bay leaves and carried it with you - you would be invisible to your enemies (not sure what I remember that from). In any case - i am in favor of the Opal... as a gem and a name. In fact, I would go so far to say that it is my favorite gem name. While I sincerely love Pearl - Opal has so much more personality and cutesy-ness. Huge fan. If it matched Clarisse I would totally consider it. Unfortunately... Opal is Opalo in tagalog (a male name)... so I couldn't even use it as a middle, and we are sticking to Perlas. I really like Opal Rosalie of your list, and I like the sound of Opal Marietta... but feel like there are so many other options out there that sound better with Opal. Some that catch my fancy - and maybe yours:
Opal Adelaide
Opal Faustine
Opal Genevieve
Opal Zenaide
Opal Veronique
Opal Rosaleen
Opal Celestine
Opal Celeste
Opal Heloise or Opal Eloise
vote up1
Piggybacking off of you a little bit.Opal Veronica, has this mystique to it that I really like.
vote up1
Ooh. Opal Veronica is lovely. I love the combination of a jewel and a plant name, especially when it's not obvious like Ruby Rose or something.
vote up1
nice! Veronica is one of my fave names.
vote up1
That's really nice. I should do a bit of research into it myself. I love the idea that opals were supposed to represent good luck.I agree that Opal is cuter than Pearl. Though I do love Pearl.Opal Faustine is gorgeous and would be added to my list if not for a family friend with the surname Foust.Opal Eloise is adorable!
vote up1
Yeah, the idea of it bringing bad luck is comparatively recent and a little pop-culture-y, I think. It's just something I've never been able to shake, though I have tried. The combos you've suggested are totally gorgeous, btw. I could go for Opal Faustine.
vote up1
That's really interesting. I had no idea opals were thought to bring bad luck! I just think of the beautiful colors and it's warm sound.Thank you!
vote up1
They're not bad luck if you're born in October! (Like me, haha.)
vote up1
It's very likely that I'm in the minority in thinking of those connotations, so please don't let me put you off. It's just something I read about as a young and superstitious child and it's always stuck with me, I think because I found it so unfortunate that such a pretty name had those connotations. I could definitely grow to love it if a knew an Opal of any age.
vote up1
No worries, it doesn't put me off it. I can absolutely understand how those things stick with a person and I'm glad you shared. It's good to know in case I were ever to use it.
vote up1