Nola
Fact sheet
- Name
- Nola
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The feminine first name Nola has its roots in English and Irish and represents a short form of Finola, which in turn is an English variant of the Irish name Fionnuala/Fionnghuala. This is derived from the ancient Irish Finnguala. The meaning of the name is 'the white shoulder', which can also be expanded to 'delicate, white, beautiful shoulders'.
What does the name Nola mean?
Nola, a girl's name of English and Irish origin, is a short form of Finola, which in English is derived from the Irish Fionnuala/Fionnghuala and traces back to the ancient Irish Finnguala. The name means 'the white shoulder' or more elaborately 'delicate, white, beautiful shoulders'. Its roots lie in the ancient Irish terms fionn, meaning 'white', 'blond', or 'bright', and gúala, meaning 'shoulder'. Additionally, Nola can be seen as the feminine form of the Irish name Nolan, which goes back to the ancient Irish surname Ó Nualláin. The direct translation of the name is 'the descendant of Nuallan' or 'the famous one', derived from the ancient Irish word núall, which means 'famous', 'loud', 'a loud noise', or 'a cry of joy'. Furthermore, Nola is the Galician diminutive of Manola. In Irish mythology, Fionnghuala is one of the four children of the sea god Lir. In Latin, the term 'nola' refers to a small bell used during the consecration in the choir. Other variants include Nolana, Nolina, and Noleen.
Where does the name Nola come from?
The first name Nola has an ancient Irish origin and means 'the white shoulder' or 'the descendant of Nuallan'. The etymology consists of ancient Irish terms: from Nolan, where núall means 'famous, loud, a loud noise, a cry of joy', as well as from Finola, consisting of fionn for 'white, blond, bright' and gúala for 'the shoulder'. The languages in which Nola appears are English, Galician, and Irish.
How do you pronounce Nola?
The pronunciation of Nola is two syllables with a gentle emphasis. The name is primarily pronounced as 'No-la' [ˈnoːla]. It begins with a long O sound that conveys a pleasant roundness. The open ending '-a' provides a clear finish. Nola radiates friendliness and modernity – a name with a harmonious line and gentle effect.
Popularity
In Germany, the name Nola enjoys great popularity and currently ranks 231st on the list of the most common female first names. In the last ten years, Nola has been chosen as a first name about 1,400 times, placing it 401st in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 464th.
Nicknames & pet names
Lola / Noa / Noeli / Nolali / Noli / Nolli / NoNo / Ola
Similar first names
Famous people
- Nola (cartoon character in 'Flipper and Lopaka')
- Nola Fairbanks (American actress)
- Nola Luxford (New Zealand actress)
Frequently asked questions about the name Nola
What is the origin of the name Nola?
The first name Nola has its roots in the ancient Irish language and means 'the white shoulder' or 'the descendant of Nuallan'.
What does the name Nola mean?
Nola is a short form of Finola and consists of the ancient Irish terms fionn for 'white' and gúala for 'shoulder'. It can also be considered the feminine form of the name Nolan, which means 'the famous one'.
How popular is the name Nola?
Nola has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially in English-speaking countries, and is often appreciated for its melodic sound.