Zola
Zola is a girl's name of African origin.
Meaning
Earth (Italian) or tranquil, calm (Zulu).
Origin and history
Zola is a name with multiple etymological origins, most notably meaning 'earth' or 'ball of earth' in Italian and 'tranquil' or 'peaceful' in Zulu. It gained literary prominence through French author Émile Zola and has enjoyed a resurgence in modern U.S. naming trends. Today, it serves as a chic, vintage choice with a distinct, international feel.
Popularity in the United States
9,286 babies in the United States have been named Zola since 1880. It ranks #1733 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #999.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.1 %)
- KY (8.1 %)
- CA (5.9 %)
- NC (5.9 %)
- TN (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 138 |
| 1890-1900 | 442 |
| 1900-1910 | 579 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,285 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,493 |
| 1930-1940 | 812 |
| 1940-1950 | 514 |
| 1950-1960 | 348 |
| 1960-1970 | 149 |
| 1970-1980 | 100 |
| 1980-1990 | 51 |
| 1990-2000 | 90 |
| 2000-2010 | 360 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,525 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,400 |
Famous people named Zola
- Zola Budd: Athlete, Runner
- Zola Taylor: Singer, Musician
Fun facts
- While used as a given name, it is widely recognized internationally due to the influential 19th-century French writer Émile Zola.
- The name independently originated in both Southern Africa (Bantu/Zulu) and Southern Europe (Italian).