A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lala since 1884
Babies named Lala per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lala's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 44 |
| 1890s | 119 |
| 1900s | 138 |
| 1910s | 278 |
| 1920s | 335 |
| 1930s | 194 |
| 1940s | 148 |
| 1950s | 96 |
| 1960s | 68 |
| 1970s | 36 |
| 1980s | 39 |
| 1990s | 21 |
| 2000s | 94 |
| 2010s | 106 |
| 2020s | 62 |
Meaning & origin
Lala is a name with a long but quiet history in the United States. First recorded in 1884, it saw its highest usage in 1900, when it peaked in popularity. After decades of near-disappearance, the name began a slow revival starting in 1996, reflecting a broader trend toward short, vowel-rich names with international flair. Today, Lala remains rare, with a 1-in-133,939 occurrence rate in the latest year (2025), but its recent upward trajectory suggests growing appeal among parents seeking a distinctive, easy-to-pronounce name that feels both modern and timeless. The name's uncertain etymology and multi-cultural origins only add to its charm, making it a blank canvas for personal meaning.
Lala has diverse origins across cultures. In Sanskrit, it is a diminutive of Lalita, meaning 'playful' or 'charming'. In Persian, it can mean 'tulip'. It also appears as a nickname in Slavic languages and as a given name in parts of West Africa (e.g., Ghana, meaning 'good fortune'). In the United States, its usage has been sporadic, with a peak in the early 1900s and a recent revival starting in the mid-1990s. Its modern appeal likely stems from its simple, melodic sound and cross-cultural familiarity.
“Lala” around the world
Where Lala lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lali, Lala-bear
Sibling names for Lala
Names that share Lala's style, for a brother or sister.
