Declining since 2020, #821 for girls today.
Popularity of Nola since 1880
Babies named Nola per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2020, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nola's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 424 |
| 1890s | 929 |
| 1900s | 1,334 |
| 1910s | 2,630 |
| 1920s | 3,163 |
| 1930s | 3,001 |
| 1940s | 2,475 |
| 1950s | 2,183 |
| 1960s | 1,130 |
| 1970s | 516 |
| 1980s | 422 |
| 1990s | 305 |
| 2000s | 1,461 |
| 2010s | 3,696 |
| 2020s | 2,593 |
Meaning & origin
Nola first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, and its popularity peaked in 1894. After a long decline, the name has undergone a revival in recent years, though it has been falling again since 2020. Currently, 1 in about 4,856 girls receives the name Nola. The name is especially popular in West Virginia, Mississippi, and Missouri, reflecting its enduring appeal in the American South and Appalachian regions. With its simple two-syllable elegance, Nola fits well with the trend toward vintage names while maintaining a distinct identity.
Nola is most commonly a diminutive of Fionnuala, an Irish name meaning 'fair shoulder' or 'white shoulder'. It is also a short form of Magnolia or Canola. Separately, Nola is a place name derived from the ancient city in Campania, Italy. As a given name in English-speaking countries, Nola saw its first peak in the 1890s.
Where Nola is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nola” around the world
Where Nola lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
75
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nolie, LaLa
Sibling names for Nola
Names that share Nola's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Nora, Clara, Mae, Lena, Ruby, Eulah, Iola, Eura, Neoma, Trula, Zana, Zula, Cleola, Dera, Gaila, Loa, Maeola, Mahlia, Nobie, Nolia, Nollie, Odean, Olean, Tela, Twilla, Verba, Verdia, Vola, Vonna, Wyona, Brya, Jaisa, Larna, Lilou, Loeta, Manila, Nema, Netha, Vayla, Laelle, Chala, Chanti, Chella, Cresta, Itzy, Lamara, Nolah, Nolani, Quida, Taela, Thula, Twylah, Venida, Wahneta
Brothers: Leo, Otis, Hugo, Max, Asa, Cairo, Elwyn, Kennan, Lamarr, Verlin, Dorrian, Noal, Nyaire, Olvin, Trea, Ervey, Kevis, Keyron, Mayco, Melvern, Ollen, Tiron, Candon, Corrigan, Drin, Gerell, Lamere, Marsalis, Olon, Tane
