Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Zula since 1880
Babies named Zula per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zula's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 341 |
| 1890s | 639 |
| 1900s | 662 |
| 1910s | 892 |
| 1920s | 872 |
| 1930s | 487 |
| 1940s | 258 |
| 1950s | 113 |
| 1960s | 30 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 73 |
| 2020s | 73 |
Meaning & origin
Zula is a rare American name that saw its peak popularity in the 1890s, ranking among the top 1,000 names for girls during that decade. Today, it is virtually unused, ranking outside the top 10,000 names in 2025. The name's origin is obscure; it may have been a creative invention or a variant of other short 'Z' names like Zola. Its trajectory has been stable over the past century, with no significant revival. Despite its rarity, Zula retains a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet simple name with a turn-of-the-century feel.
Zula first appeared in late 19th-century American records, likely as a creative coinage or variant of names like Zola or Azula. Its usage peaked in the 1890s, particularly among African American communities, but its exact derivation remains unclear. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century before declining, with no clear linguistic root.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zuzu, Lala
Variants: Zola, Zulah
Sibling names for Zula
Names that share Zula's style, for a brother or sister.
