Nola

Origin: Variant of Finola (from Irish)

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) · #278 in England & Wales (2025) · #319 in Switzerland (2025) · #319 in Scotland (2025) · #509 in Austria (2025) · #690 in France (2025) · #776 in Belgium (2025) · #1,223 in Canada (2024).

Famous Nolas

Nola Luxford — New Zealand actress (1895-1994)
Nola Hatterman — Dutch actress, teacher and artist (1899–1984)
Nola Chilton — An American-born Israeli theater director and acting teacher
Nola Rae — Australian mime artist
Nola Marino — Australian politician

In stories & tradition

Nola Falacci^pt — Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV series)
Nola — Dungeons & Dragons (play)
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 · Aila · Kyla

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

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