Nola

Meaning: Fair shoulder
Origin: Irish — Short form of Finola

Girl's name · #822 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Nola was #254 in 1894, slipped to #4192 by 1990, and has climbed back to #822 today. Roughly 26,000 girls have been named Nola since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

In recent years, Nola ran 3–4× its national rate in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 35 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Nola ranks in other countries and regions.

#99 in Netherlands (2025) · #161 in Slovenia (2025) · #275 in England & Wales (2025) · #301 in Scotland (2025) · #319 in Switzerland (2025) · #509 in Austria (2025) · #690 in France (2025) · #734 in Belgium (2025) · #875 in Poland (2025) · #1,577 in Canada (2025) · #2,725 in Italy (2024) · #302 in N. Ireland (2023) and 5 more.

Famous Nolas

Nola Henry — American basketball coach (born 1994)
Nola Rae — Australian mime artist (born 1949)
Nola Matthews — American artistic gymnast (born 2006)
Nola Pender — American nursing theorist (born 1941)
Nola Fairbanks — American actress (1924–2021)

In stories & tradition

Nola Falacci^pt — Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV series)
Nola — Fictional deity from Dungeons & Dragons
Nola Madison — The Edge of Night (TV series)

What Nolas become

Among 51 notable people named Nola:

Entertainers appear 1.9× more often than among typical names — e.g. Nola Luxford, New Zealand actress (1895–1994).

Similar names: Cordelia · Noor · Lola · Winifred · Selma · Zella

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service