Iola as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Iola

What is the meaning of the name Iola ?

The baby name Iola is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced eye-OH-lə (ˈaɪ.oʊ.lə); occasionally EE-oh-lə (ˈiː.oʊ.lə).

Iola is Greek in Origin.

Rooted in ancient Greek, Iola derives from Iole (Ἰόλη), built on ion “violet,” conveying the sense of “violet” or “violet-colored.” Iole was the mythic beloved of Heracles, anchoring the name in classical lore. The form Iola entered English in the 19th century; in Wales it is also used as a feminine name, often pronounced YO-la and sometimes associated with Iolo (a pet form of Iorwerth), though its Greek heritage remains primary.

Use rose in the Anglophone world during the late Victorian era, aided by the era’s taste for classical and floral names and by Frances E. W. Harper’s 1892 novel Iola Leroy. Though rare mid‑century, it is now a quiet vintage choice. Variants and relatives include Iole (Greek/Italian), Iolanthe and Iolanda/Yolanda (from the same violet root), and Jolanta; diminutives or nicknames include Io, Ola, and Ioli. Meaning: violet, the violet flower’s hue.