Nuala

At a Glance

Meaning

Fair/white shoulder (if a short form of Fionnuala)

Origin

Irish

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

NOO-lahListen

Nuala is an Irish girl's name, pronounced NOO-lah, with a vintage, storybook, romantic feel and a worldly touch. If it's a short form of Fionnuala, it means 'fair' or 'white shoulder', but that isn't certain: it may instead be an alternate form of Úna, which has a different, less certain origin.

Meaning & Origin of Nuala

Meaning: Fair/white shoulder (if a short form of Fionnuala).

Origin: Irish.

A common claim: Nuala means 'fair shoulder' or 'white shoulder' Actually: This holds if Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala, meaning 'fair' or 'white shoulder.' It may instead be an alternate form of Úna, which has a different, less certain origin.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Nuala

Popularity of Nuala

Nuala is a rarely given name in the U.S.: it peaked at #4737 in 1965 with just 9 babies, and in 2024 it ranked #7479 with 15. That makes it uncommon enough that your child is unlikely to meet another Nuala in class.

Names Like Nuala

These names share Nuala’s style, era or origin.

• Eibhlin
• Aileen
• Aoibhe
• Aoife
• Eavan
• Eileen

FAQ

What does the name Nuala mean?

Fair/white shoulder (if a short form of Fionnuala). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Nuala?

Nuala is pronounced NOO-lah (IPA: /ˈnuːlə/).

Is Nuala a popular name right now?

Nuala peaked at #4737 in 1965 and is ranked #7479 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1948–2024.)

Make Nuala Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Nuala, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.