Holding steady.
Popularity of Bula since 1881
Babies named Bula per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bula's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 47 |
| 1890s | 100 |
| 1900s | 116 |
| 1910s | 249 |
| 1920s | 304 |
| 1930s | 163 |
| 1940s | 50 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Bula is a rare feminine name that saw modest use in the late 19th century, peaking in 1889. It was first recorded in 1881, and its trajectory has remained stable at very low numbers since the early 1900s. The name's exact origin is unclear; it may be a variant of Bela or Bella, or possibly derived from an Irish or Scottish Gaelic name. No top states for usage are recorded, indicating it was never regionally concentrated. Bula is an example of a late Victorian-era name that has not experienced a revival, making it a true vintage rarity.
The name Bula is most likely an English feminine name that emerged in the 19th century, possibly as a diminutive of names like Bela or Bella, or as a variant of the Irish/Scottish name Bula (from Gaelic). Its usage was concentrated in the late 1800s and early 1900s, particularly in the United States, with a peak in 1889. It has since fallen out of common use.
Sibling names for Bula
Names that share Bula's style, for a brother or sister.
