Nola

At a Glance

Meaning

Fair shoulder (short form of Fionnuala); sometimes linked to 'famous/noble' via Nolan

Origin

Irish

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

NOH-lahListen

Nola is a short, easy-to-say Irish name pronounced NOH-lah. You'll sometimes see it listed as meaning 'famous' or 'noble,' but that gloss actually belongs to the name Nolan; Nola is more properly a short form of Fionnuala, meaning 'fair shoulder.' It fits comfortably alongside both classic Irish names and pared-down modern picks.

Meaning & Origin of Nola

Meaning: Fair shoulder (short form of Fionnuala); sometimes linked to 'famous/noble' via Nolan.

Origin: Irish.

A common claim: Commonly listed as meaning 'famous' or 'noble' Actually: That gloss actually comes from the male name Nolan, not Nola's more direct root; Nola is more properly a short form of Fionnuala, meaning 'fair shoulder'.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Nola

Popularity of Nola

Nola reached its highest point in 1894, when it ranked #254 with 118 babies given the name; in 2024 it sat at #766 with 367 babies, so more girls are named Nola today than at its historical peak, even though its rank is lower.

Names Like Nola

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

• Bria
• Kyla
• Meara
• Nessa
• Neve
• Ailbhe

FAQ

What does the name Nola mean?

Fair shoulder (short form of Fionnuala); sometimes linked to ‘famous/noble’ via Nolan. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Nola?

Nola is pronounced NOH-lah (IPA: /ˈnoʊlə/).

Is Nola a popular name right now?

Nola peaked at #254 in 1894 and is ranked #766 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Nola Name Art

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