Opal’s Notebook: Personalized Journal for Opal
A simple, pretty journal made for one person: Opal. Her name is set in script above pink watercolor apple blossom on the cover.
- 160 lined pages
- 6" x 9" paperback
- Watercolor apple blossom cover with "Opal's Notebook" on the front
- Printed and shipped by Amazon
What does the name Opal mean?
Opal comes from the English word for the iridescent gemstone, the birthstone of October, says Behind the Name. The word goes back to the Sanskrit upala, meaning “jewel”. Wikipedia adds that Opal came into use along with other gemstone names in the late Victorian era, and that the ancient Romans called the many-colored gem the “queen of gems”.
Opal nicknames and other forms
Opal has one close relative in Behind the Name’s list: Opaline, which is also the French form. Opal is already short and sweet, so most families use it just as it is.
Some famous Opals
Opal Lee is often called the “grandmother of Juneteenth”. Wikipedia says she was born in Marshall, Texas, on October 7, 1926, moved to Fort Worth as a child, and became a teacher and counselor. At 89 she set off on a symbolic walk from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. In 2021 Juneteenth became a federal holiday, and in 2024 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Opal through the decades
Opal was a favorite in the early 1900s. US Social Security data has it at 98th in the 1900s, 92nd in the 1910s and 127th in the 1920s, when more than 21,500 American girls were named Opal. Wikipedia says it has been back among the 1,000 most popular American girls’ names since 2017.
Did you know?
Opal is the national gemstone of Australia, according to Wikipedia. The town of Coober Pedy in South Australia is a major source, and the world’s largest and most valuable gem opal, the “Olympic Australis”, was found there in August 1956. It weighs 17,000 carats. Lightning Ridge in New South Wales is the main source of the rare black opal.
Gift ideas for an Opal
- For an October birthday. A notebook for a girl named after her birthstone.
- For Juneteenth. A journal in honor of Opal Lee’s long walk.
- For a rock and gem collector. Field notes for a budding geologist.
- For a trip to Australia. A travel journal for opal country.
Who is it for and how she can use it
Whether Opal is eight or eighty, a 6" x 9" notebook is a comfortable size: big enough to write in properly, slim enough to carry. The 160 lined pages don’t come with a set layout, so she decides what it’s for. Journal, planner, class notes, recipes, travel log or doodle book all work. And with her name on the cover, nobody will mistake it for theirs.
Why personalized works
Personalized gifts show you thought about the person, not just the occasion. A notebook with Opal on the cover is affordable, useful every day and still feels special. It’s also a safe choice when you’re not sure of someone’s style, because everyone needs somewhere to write things down.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Opal’s Notebook? It’s 6" x 9" (about 15.2 x 22.9 cm), with 160 lined pages in a paperback cover.
Where do I buy it? On Amazon. It’s printed on demand and shipped by Amazon, so delivery and returns go through your usual Amazon account.
Do you have other names? Plenty. If you’re shopping for more than one person, see all name notebooks and our personalized name notebooks page.
Check out Opal's Notebook on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Opal's Notebook is published by Black Stag Publishing.