Nola: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: In some cases, people will perceive the name Nola as a short form of New Orleans or New Orleans, Louisiana.

Nola Overview

Meaning

White shoulder, famous, noble

Gender

Girl

Origin

Irish, Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Irish name Fionnghuala, meaning “white shoulder”.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈnoʊlə/

Popularity

Nola is gaining recognition globally, especially in the USA, England, and the Netherlands. In 2023, it ranked #739 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Exotic, Short, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Charming, elegant, resilient, creative

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Nola has ties to the goddess Aurora in Roman mythology, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.

Name Day

May 25th, December 12th (Italy)

Nola Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Nolana, Nolia, Noelia, Nolaine, Noella, Noeline, Nolanda, Nolene

Common Nicknames

Nol, Nolie, Noe, Noli, Nolly, Lala, Nola Bear, Nini, Lani, No-No

Diminutives

Nol, Noe, Noli, Nolly, Nolie

Famous People

Nola Barber
(Australian Politician)
Nola Fairbanks
(American Broadway Actress)
Nola Ochs
(American Educator)
Nola Ishmael
(Barbadian Nurse)
Nola Rae
(Australian Mime Artist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

"Nola"
(Film)
Nola Kellergan
("The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair," Novel)
Nola Falacci
("Law & Order: Criminal Intent," TV Series)
Nola Devlin
("Lying to Be Perfect," TV Film)

Places

Nola Town
(Campania, Italy)
Nola City
(Central African Republic)

What Is the Meaning of Nola?

Nola means “white shoulder,” “famous,” or “noble,” reflecting purity and high standing. Individuals named Nola often have a charming and graceful personality, radiating elegance and kindness.

What Is the Origin of The Name Nola?

Nola has Irish and Latin origins. In Irish, it is derived from the name Fionnuala, meaning “white shoulder,” while in Latin, it is related to the word “nobilis,” meaning “noble” or “famous.”

Nola Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Nola in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#5952021	#6262022	#7392023
Top 3 Rankings	#2491894	#2651895	#2651904

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Nola

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	739 (-113 from 2022)	379 (-92 from 2022)	0.02167
2022	626 (-31 from 2021)	471 (-32 from 2021)	0.02627
2021	595 (-42 from 2020)	503 (-34 from 2020)	0.02808
2020	553 (+52 from 2019)	537 (+37 from 2019)	0.03038
2019	605 (+38 from 2018)	500 (+39 from 2018)	0.02725
2018	643 (+101 from 2017)	461 (+82 from 2017)	0.02479
2017	744 (+74 from 2016)	379 (+29 from 2016)	0.02006
2016	818 (-50 from 2015)	350 (-18 from 2015)	0.01808
2015	768 (+36 from 2014)	368 (+21 from 2014)	0.01886
2014	804 (-28 from 2013)	347 (-3 from 2013)	0.01774
2013	776 (+27 from 2012)	350 (+16 from 2012)	0.01816
2012	803 (+90 from 2011)	334 (+42 from 2011)	0.01722
2011	893 (-39 from 2010)	292 (-22 from 2010)	0.01507
2010	854 (+99 from 2009)	314 (+34 from 2009)	0.01601
2009	953 (-37 from 2008)	280 (-19 from 2008)	0.01383
2008	916 (+111 from 2007)	299 (+42 from 2007)	0.01436
2007	1027 (+170 from 2006)	257 (+55 from 2006)	0.01214
2006	1197 (+658 from 2005)	202 (+98 from 2005)	0.00966
2005	1855 (+245 from 2004)	104 (+18 from 2004)	0.00512
2004	2100 (+67 from 2003)	86 (+6 from 2003)	0.00426
2003	2167 (+438 from 2002)	80 (+21 from 2002)	0.00399
2002	2605 (+537 from 2001)	59 (+15 from 2001)	0.00299
2001	3142 (-288 from 2000)	44 (-6 from 2000)	0.00222
2000	2854 (+520 from 1999)	50 (+13 from 1999)	0.00251
1999	3374 (+356 from 1998)	37 (+6 from 1998)	0.00190
1998	3730 (-506 from 1997)	31 (-5 from 1997)	0.00160
1997	3224 (+138 from 1996)	36 (+2 from 1996)	0.00189
1996	3362 (+308 from 1995)	34 (+5 from 1995)	0.00177
1995	3670 (-222 from 1994)	29 (-3 from 1994)	0.00151
1994	3448 (-26 from 1993)	32 No change from 1993	0.00164
1993	3422 (+666 from 1992)	32 (+7 from 1992)	0.00162
1992	4088 (-32 from 1991)	25 No change from 1991	0.00125
1991	4056 (+64 from 1990)	25 (+1 from 1990)	0.00123
1990	4120 (-1189 from 1989)	24 (-13 from 1989)	0.00117
1989	2931 (+874 from 1988)	37 (+13 from 1988)	0.00186
1988	3805 (-1193 from 1987)	24 (-14 from 1987)	0.00125
1987	2612 (+441 from 1986)	38 (+8 from 1986)	0.00203
1986	3053 (-305 from 1985)	30 (-4 from 1985)	0.00163
1985	2748 (-449 from 1984)	34 (-8 from 1984)	0.00184
1984	2299 (-548 from 1983)	42 (-19 from 1983)	0.00233
1983	1751 (-31 from 1982)	61 (-4 from 1982)	0.00341
1982	1720 (+265 from 1981)	65 (+12 from 1981)	0.00358
1981	1985 (+501 from 1980)	53 (+15 from 1980)	0.00296
1980	2486 (-654 from 1979)	38 (-20 from 1979)	0.00213
1979	1832 (-142 from 1978)	58 (-4 from 1978)	0.00337
1978	1690 (-69 from 1977)	62 (-3 from 1977)	0.00377
1977	1621 (+291 from 1976)	65 (+18 from 1976)	0.00395
1976	1912 (+224 from 1975)	47 (+7 from 1975)	0.00299
1975	2136 (-37 from 1974)	40 (+1 from 1974)	0.00256
1974	2099 (+210 from 1973)	39 (+6 from 1973)	0.00249
1973	2309 (-215 from 1972)	33 (-4 from 1972)	0.00212
1972	2094 (-621 from 1971)	37 (-32 from 1971)	0.00229
1971	1473 (+32 from 1970)	69 (+3 from 1970)	0.00394
1970	1505 (-255 from 1969)	66 (-14 from 1969)	0.00360
1969	1250 (+98 from 1968)	80 (+12 from 1968)	0.00454
1968	1348 (+13 from 1967)	68 (+3 from 1967)	0.00398
1967	1361 (-311 from 1966)	65 (-34 from 1966)	0.00379
1966	1050 (+39 from 1965)	99 (+7 from 1965)	0.00564
1965	1089 (-201 from 1964)	92 (-45 from 1964)	0.00503
1964	888 (+91 from 1963)	137 (+19 from 1963)	0.00700
1963	979 (-112 from 1962)	118 (-30 from 1962)	0.00594
1962	867 (-19 from 1961)	148 (-7 from 1961)	0.00730
1961	848 (-59 from 1960)	155 (-13 from 1960)	0.00746
1960	789 (-162 from 1959)	168 (-84 from 1959)	0.00808
1959	627 (+223 from 1958)	252 (+108 from 1958)	0.01212
1958	850 (-49 from 1957)	144 (-15 from 1957)	0.00697
1957	801 (-132 from 1956)	159 (-47 from 1956)	0.00758
1956	669 (+2 from 1955)	206 (+11 from 1955)	0.01000
1955	671 (-83 from 1954)	195 (-41 from 1954)	0.00973
1954	588 (-43 from 1953)	236 (-19 from 1953)	0.01185
1953	545 (+14 from 1952)	255 (+15 from 1952)	0.01322
1952	559 (-31 from 1951)	240 (-9 from 1951)	0.01262
1951	528 (-8 from 1950)	249 (+2 from 1950)	0.01348
1950	520 (+36 from 1949)	247 (+24 from 1949)	0.01405
1949	556 (+22 from 1948)	223 (+13 from 1948)	0.01270
1948	578 (-51 from 1947)	210 (-42 from 1947)	0.01205
1947	527 No change from 1946	252 (+30 from 1946)	0.01386
1946	527 (-54 from 1945)	222 (-9 from 1945)	0.01376
1945	473 (-15 from 1944)	231 (-14 from 1944)	0.01716
1944	458 (-27 from 1943)	245 (-46 from 1943)	0.01793
1943	431 (+25 from 1942)	291 (+28 from 1942)	0.02027
1942	456 (-45 from 1941)	263 (-16 from 1941)	0.01891
1941	411 (+13 from 1940)	279 (+20 from 1940)	0.02239
1940	424 (-16 from 1939)	259 (-14 from 1939)	0.02192
1939	408 (-58 from 1938)	273 (-64 from 1938)	0.02407
1938	350 (+28 from 1937)	337 (+43 from 1937)	0.02952
1937	378 (-12 from 1936)	294 (-6 from 1936)	0.02668
1936	366 (+9 from 1935)	300 (+14 from 1935)	0.02784
1935	375 (-15 from 1934)	286 (-21 from 1934)	0.02632
1934	360 (+24 from 1933)	307 (+26 from 1933)	0.02836
1933	384 (-14 from 1932)	281 (-20 from 1932)	0.02686
1932	370 No change from 1931	301 (+1 from 1931)	0.02721
1931	370 (+11 from 1930)	300 (-22 from 1930)	0.02718
1930	381 (-10 from 1929)	322 (-6 from 1929)	0.02760
1929	371 (+5 from 1928)	328 (-2 from 1928)	0.02834
1928	376 (-19 from 1927)	330 (-31 from 1927)	0.02760
1927	357 (+60 from 1926)	361 (+93 from 1926)	0.02920
1926	417 (-3 from 1925)	268 (-11 from 1925)	0.02179
1925	414 (-36 from 1924)	279 (-41 from 1924)	0.02209
1924	378 (-3 from 1923)	320 (+8 from 1923)	0.02470
1923	375 (-14 from 1922)	312 (-23 from 1922)	0.02491
1922	361 (+13 from 1921)	335 (+11 from 1921)	0.02685
1921	374 (+4 from 1920)	324 (+18 from 1920)	0.02532
1920	378 (-31 from 1919)	306 (-37 from 1919)	0.02460
1919	347 (-22 from 1918)	343 (-47 from 1918)	0.02920
1918	325 (+33 from 1917)	390 (+83 from 1917)	0.03244
1917	358 (-3 from 1916)	307 (+6 from 1916)	0.02732
1916	355 (-21 from 1915)	301 (-19 from 1915)	0.02772
1915	334 (+14 from 1914)	320 (+93 from 1914)	0.03125
1914	348 (-11 from 1913)	227 (+22 from 1913)	0.02850
1913	337 (-21 from 1912)	205 (-6 from 1912)	0.03130
1912	316 (-10 from 1911)	211 (+43 from 1911)	0.03596
1911	306 No change from 1910	168 (+10 from 1910)	0.03802
1910	306 (-31 from 1909)	158 (-14 from 1909)	0.03766
1909	275 (+20 from 1908)	172 (+28 from 1908)	0.04673
1908	295 (-2 from 1907)	144 (+2 from 1907)	0.04062
1907	293 (+1 from 1906)	142 (+17 from 1906)	0.04208
1906	294 (+2 from 1905)	125 (-2 from 1905)	0.03988
1905	296 (-31 from 1904)	127 (-13 from 1904)	0.04099
1904	265 (+6 from 1903)	140 (+9 from 1903)	0.04787
1903	271 (+1 from 1902)	131 No change from 1902	0.04709
1902	272 (+41 from 1901)	131 (+38 from 1901)	0.04673
1901	313 (-25 from 1900)	93 (-36 from 1900)	0.03658
1900	288 (-7 from 1899)	129 (+23 from 1899)	0.04060
1899	281 (-4 from 1898)	106 (-16 from 1898)	0.04283
1898	277 (+64 from 1897)	122 (+48 from 1897)	0.04450
1897	341 (-65 from 1896)	74 (-34 from 1896)	0.02981
1896	276 (-11 from 1895)	108 (-3 from 1895)	0.04286
1895	265 (-16 from 1894)	111 (-7 from 1894)	0.04492
1894	249 (+29 from 1893)	118 (+28 from 1893)	0.05001
1893	278 (+58 from 1892)	90 (+28 from 1892)	0.03996
1892	336 (-54 from 1891)	62 (-16 from 1891)	0.02757
1891	282 (+44 from 1890)	78 (+18 from 1890)	0.03968
1890	326 (-41 from 1889)	60 (-9 from 1889)	0.02975
1889	285 (+42 from 1888)	69 (+15 from 1888)	0.03647
1888	327 (-40 from 1887)	54 (-1 from 1887)	0.02850
1887	287 (+2 from 1886)	55 (+4 from 1886)	0.03539
1886	289 (+35 from 1885)	51 (+12 from 1885)	0.03317
1885	324 (+13 from 1884)	39 (+5 from 1884)	0.02748
1884	337 (-13 from 1883)	34 (+4 from 1883)	0.02471
1883	324 (-34 from 1882)	30 (-7 from 1882)	0.02499
1882	290 (-11 from 1881)	37 (+5 from 1881)	0.03198
1881	279 (+54 from 1880)	32 (+9 from 1880)	0.03237
1880	333 First SSA data recorded	23 First SSA data recorded	0.02356

American States Popularity Rankings for Nola

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

#9892021

#10032022

#10522023

California (CA)

#9402021

#10772022

#13482023

Kentucky (KY)

#5542021

#4132022

#5022023

Tennessee (TN)

#5152021

#4112022

#7472023

Illinois (IL)

#6862021

#5962022

#9252023

Ohio (OH)

#4232021

#6182022

#6292023

Louisiana (LA)

#2952021

#3062022

#2682023

Missouri (MO)

#4712020

#7102022

#10132023

North Carolina (NC)

#3782021

#5732022

#4262023

Michigan (MI)

#4502021

#4132022

#9392023

Oklahoma (OK)

#8152021

#8322022

#6022023

New York (NY)

#7562021

#7372022

#10482023

Indiana (IN)

#3592021

#6132022

#6262023

Arkansas (AR)

#5342018

#6512020

#5422023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#5942021

#4842022

#6762023

Georgia (GA)

#3542021

#4172022

#4952023

West Virginia (WV)

#4191953

#4231954

#4241959

Wisconsin (WI)

#5312021

#3412022

#6362023

Mississippi (MS)

#2902021

#3932022

#3832023

Virginia (VA)

#5562021

#5932022

#6082023

Florida (FL)

#8032021

#7782022

#8452023

Washington (WA)

#7722021

#6162022

#6152023

Alabama (AL)

#5212021

#5812022

#3972023

Utah (UT)

#3801960

#5492019

#7722022

Kansas (KS)

#6602017

#6572020

#6732022

Minnesota (MN)

#4552020

#3212021

#6722022

Iowa (IA)

#6652017

#3282019

#4232021

Idaho (ID)

#2641956

#2871960

#3632017

New Jersey (NJ)

#5842021

#6632022

#7242023

Colorado (CO)

#5442020

#7462021

#10182023

Massachusetts (MA)

#5192020

#5512021

#4692022

Oregon (OR)

#7132018

#7222021

#6902023

South Carolina (SC)

#4202021

#4942022

#9022023

Nebraska (NE)

#2831946

#3311951

#5102017

Maryland (MD)

#2352020

#6292021

#5912022

Arizona (AZ)

#11972021

#9092022

#9232023

Connecticut (CT)

#5032019

#4702021

#4172022

South Dakota (SD)

#2141956

#2411959

#2751961

Maine (ME)

#2901959

#2742010

#2082013

Montana (MT)

#2111950

#2401958

#2492009

North Dakota (ND)

#2041942

#1821947

#2141951

District of Columbia (DC)

#2152018

#2652020

#1662023

Nevada (NV)

#4832020

#4932021

#5572023

New Mexico (NM)

#1741915

#5382008

Alaska (AK)

#1442019

New Hampshire (NH)

#2162015

Wyoming (WY)

#1111924

Hawaii (HI)

#2941953

Popularity Rankings for Nola in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1912021

#2002022

#2102023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#3102019

#2522020

#2062021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#2171956

#2821957

#3021958

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#2802020

#2452021

#5602022

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#4062020

#4432021

#2952023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#3502021

#4182022

#3022023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#8342020

#4642021

#5022022

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#7242015

#4652022

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#6472021

#7082022

#5292023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#6782020

#8412021

#8902022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Nola a Name for Boys or Girls?

Nola is traditionally a girl’s name. Its soft, melodic sound makes the name an ideal choice for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Nola

Nolana
Nolia
Nolia
Noelia
Nolaine
Noella
Noeline
Nolanda
Nolana
Nolene

Nol
Nolie
Noe
Noli
Nolly
Lala
Nola Bear
Nini
Lani
No-No

Nol
Noe
Noli
Nolly
Nolie

Nola in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Nola Barber (Politician, 1901–1985): The first woman mayor of Chelsea City, Australia, who made significant contributions to her community.
Nola Fairbanks (Broadway Actress, 1924): A Broadway actress known for her performances in musical theater.
Nola Ochs (Educator, 1911–2008): An American educator who became the oldest college graduate at the age of 95.
Nola Ishmael (Nurse, 1943): A Barbadian nurse who made a significant impact in the field of healthcare.
Nola Rae (Mime Artist, 1950): An Australian mime artist celebrated for her innovative performances in the art of mime.

"Nola" (2003 Film): A young woman moves to New York City to pursue a singing career and find her estranged father.
Nola Kellergan ("The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair," 2012 Novel): A key character whose mysterious disappearance drives the plot.
Nola Falacci ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent," TV Series): A dedicated detective known for her sharp instincts and intense interrogation style.
Nola Devlin ("Lying to Be Perfect," 2010 TV Film): An overweight magazine editor who secretly writes an advice column under a pseudonym.

Nola Town (Campania, Italy): A historic town located northeast of Naples, known for its ancient origins and archaeological sites .
Nola City (Central African Republic): A city in the Central African Republic, notable for its location near the Sangha River and its cultural diversity.

Nela
Neola
Nila
Noela
Noola
Nula
Meaning: Winner, achiever
Origin: ArabicNyla
Nolanda
Nolen
Nolina

Olly
Olivet
Oliva
Livvie
Livia
Meaning: Olive tree
Origin: EnglishOlive
Olivette
Liv
Olva
Liva

Sibling Names for Nola

For a Brother
For a Sister

Meaning: Famous, noble, champion
Origin: IrishNolan
Meaning: Born on Christmas
Origin: FrenchNoel
Meaning: Rest, repose
Origin: HebrewNoah
Meaning: Given, he gave, gift of God
Origin: HebrewNathan
Neil
Nelson
Nigel
Nick
Nino
Meaning: By the ash tree, at the ash tree
Origin: EnglishNash

Meaning: Shining, light, blessed, little rock, calm as still waters, afloat
Origin: Germanic, GreekLana
Fia
Meaning: Purpose, aim, goal, bright
Origin: Swahili, Welsh, IrishNia
Meaning: Motion, movement
Origin: HebrewNoa
Meaning: Pledged to God, God is my oath, noble, joyful
Origin: German, Hebrew, SwissElsa
Romy
Nala
Etta
Neve
Alba

Parents Who Like the Name Nola Also Like

Are you going to use the name Nola for your little girl? Don’t miss the chance to tell everyone right in the comment section and be sure to introduce the name to other people.

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Nola Name Meaning