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Nola as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Nola

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The baby name Nola is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈnoʊlə/ (NOH-lə).

Nola is Irish, Italian, Latin in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Irish, Italian, Latin
Pronunciation: /ˈnoʊlə/ (NOH-lə)

What is the meaning of the name Nola ?

The baby name Nola is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈnoʊlə/ (NOH-lə).

Nola is Irish, Italian, Latin in Origin.

Nola blends Irish and Italian strands. In Gaelic it functions as a short form of Fionnuala/Finola (from fionn “fair, white” + guala “shoulder”), yielding the meaning “fair‑shouldered.” It also corresponds to the Italian place name Nola (Campania), which lent Medieval Latin nola “a small bell,” so the name can evoke “bell” or “from Nola.” In English use, Nola also serves as a familiar for Magnolia and sometimes for Noelle; modern variants include Nolah, with pet forms Nolie and Nollie. Related Irish forms are Nuala and Fionnuala.

As a given name in the English‑speaking world, Nola appears by the late 19th century, rising in the U.S. in the 1910s before a 21st‑century revival. Usage persists in Ireland (often via Fionnuala), and it’s recognizable in Australia and New Zealand. The name’s spare rhythm, vintage feel, and multicultural roots support its current appeal.

Nola has the following similar or variant Names

Nola – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2022 #1 935
Germany Girls 2025 #1 411
ID 0 #38 2 2,238
AL 0 #76 1 2,372
JM 0 #88 6 3,714
SD 0 #102 1 2,130
TW 0 #103 1 4,523
Switzerland Girls 2024 #108 28 1,786
HU 0 #115 1 1,675
GR 0 #135 1 3,911
RS Girls 0 #136 2 1,651
BW Boys 0 #154 1 4,685
Belgium Girls 2020 #167 23 416
Sweden Girls 2021 #181 3 1,666
HR 0 #181 1 2,081
AE 0 #186 2 10,220
LU Girls 0 #190 1 4,850
AL Girls 0 #213 10 4,141
AO Girls 0 #217 1 4,575
PS 0 #226 1 5,692
JM Girls 0 #232 28 7,507
NA Girls 0 #234 4 7,146
GH 0 #248 1 5,396
GR Girls 0 #248 2 6,293
NA Boys 0 #252 2 6,830
EC Girls 0 #257 2 3,650
HR Girls 0 #258 32 3,687
HR Boys 0 #258 2 3,997
Canada Girls 2024 #265 21 2,795
NG 0 #271 2 5,926
France Girls 2021 #273 138 3,185
SG 0 #281 2 11,010
TW Girls 0 #289 1 8,139
JM Boys 0 #292 2 6,876
SA 0 #308 5 10,560
SD Girls 0 #322 24 7,678
PE 0 #328 2 6,350
DK Girls 0 #329 1 7,429
KZ Girls 0 #331 2 5,862
GT 0 #338 1 5,948
JO Girls 0 #338 2 7,570
QA Girls 0 #338 6 15,378
CN Girls 0 #352 8 8,829
MY 0 #353 2 12,352
MU Girls 0 #359 4 8,539
PL Girls 0 #364 1 5,096
France Boys 2020 #387 5 2,846
EG 0 #389 12 6,387
YE 0 #390 9 8,639
BD Girls 0 #406 1 8,413
BO 0 #406 3 6,868
OM Girls 0 #423 2 15,987
PH Girls 0 #427 3 13,098
ZA 0 #429 19 14,421
CL 0 #434 1 6,867
SD Boys 0 #466 1 10,523
PT Girls 0 #470 2 7,952
AR Boys 0 #482 2 7,628
KW Girls 0 #506 10 19,177
PS Girls 0 #511 13 10,981
PA Girls 0 #516 3 9,861
RU Girls 0 #516 8 11,913
LY 0 #520 16 12,703
IQ Girls 0 #522 4 11,303
UY Girls 0 #534 3 6,731
HK Boys 0 #556 2 12,905
CM Girls 0 #557 4 11,671
United States Girls 2024 #571 367 8,487
CM Boys 0 #573 3 12,054
CR Girls 0 #573 1 11,342
BH 0 #584 4 17,937
AE Girls 0 #590 8 20,968
BO Girls 0 #591 21 9,488
IL Girls 0 #608 10 11,648
IL Boys 0 #622 4 10,983
AR Girls 0 #629 2 8,289
SG Girls 0 #629 4 18,916
HK Girls 0 #646 5 16,104
EG Girls 0 #676 296 14,742
LB 0 #688 3 13,263
IQ Boys 0 #697 1 13,071
CL Boys 0 #700 1 13,390
Finland Girls 2026 #725 14 3,895
SY 0 #764 4 11,684
NG Girls 0 #776 11 15,093
BR Boys 0 #785 1 12,213
KW Boys 0 #805 2 18,755
CL Girls 0 #838 14 14,098
PE Girls 0 #852 92 14,861
TN 0 #859 7 13,765
ZA Girls 0 #864 281 25,928
SA Girls 0 #868 68 25,931
NL Girls 0 #912 44 5,933
EG Boys 0 #919 7 15,035
PE Boys 0 #923 4 14,506
NG Boys 0 #930 22 16,906
Spain Girls 0 #954 30 5,561
MY Girls 0 #969 26 24,821
BR Girls 0 #991 2 12,708
CO Girls 0 #1,060 19 16,140
MA 0 #1,101 28 20,986
AE Boys 0 #1,139 5 22,615
DZ 0 #1,146 31 20,130
ZA Boys 0 #1,157 22 25,619
MY Boys 0 #1,181 2 25,439
TR 0 #1,254 1 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,264 4 17,781
IT Girls 0 #1,414 33 9,415
IT Boys 0 #1,452 20 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,687 5 28,008

Nola is popular in 70 countries — most recent births per country:

France
United States
Switzerland
Canada
Scotland, United Kingdom

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People also ask about Nola

Nola is predominantly a girl's name.
Nola is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈnoʊlə/ (NOH-lə).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Nolah, Nolia, Noela, Noella, Nuala and Finola.
Across languages, Nola has these equivalents: Nuala (Irish), Finola / Fionnuala (Irish), Noelle (similar sound, different origin), Fenella (similar form).
Yes, very popular — Nola ranked #1 in Ireland in 2022, and appears in official birth registries across 10 countries.
Nola ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2022).
Nola's popularity is declining significantly. It moved from #261 in 2011 to #273 in 2021 in France.