Ola
Ola is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Ancestor's remnant, descendant, or relic.
Origin and history
Ola is a short form of Olav or Olaf, derived from the Old Norse name Áleifr, meaning 'ancestor's remnant' or 'descendant'. Historically used as a masculine name in Scandinavian countries, it also appears as an independent short name in early 20th-century U.S. records. Today, it is extremely rare as a male name in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
624 babies in the United States have been named Ola since 1880. It ranks #4052 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- KY (56.5 %)
- TN (21.7 %)
- WV (21.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 46 |
| 1890-1900 | 33 |
| 1900-1910 | 42 |
| 1910-1920 | 143 |
| 1920-1930 | 161 |
| 1930-1940 | 110 |
| 1940-1950 | 49 |
| 1950-1960 | 22 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 13 |
| 1980-1990 | 5 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Ola
- Ola Ullsten: Prime Minister, Diplomat
- Ola Rapace: Actor
Fun facts
- Ola is the traditional Norwegian and Swedish short or vernacular form of Olav and Olaf.
- Most U.S. male births recorded under the name Ola occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.