Zula
Zula is a girl's name of African origin.
Meaning
Peaceful, brilliant, or lily (depending on origin).
Origin and history
Zula is a short given name with diverse potential roots, including connections to the Zulu people of Southern Africa and Slavic origins where it functions as a nickname for Zuzanna (Lily). It gained mild popularity in the United States around the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it remains a rare, vintage choice for parents seeking an uncommon, vocalic option.
Popularity in the United States
4,450 babies in the United States have been named Zula since 1880. It ranks #2629 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2028.
States where it is most popular
- TX (16.1 %)
- NC (16.1 %)
- KY (14.7 %)
- TN (12.4 %)
- MS (8.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 341 |
| 1890-1900 | 639 |
| 1900-1910 | 662 |
| 1910-1920 | 892 |
| 1920-1930 | 872 |
| 1930-1940 | 487 |
| 1940-1950 | 258 |
| 1950-1960 | 113 |
| 1960-1970 | 30 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 10 |
| 2010-2019 | 73 |
| 2020-2029 | 73 |
Fun facts
- Zula reached its peak U.S. popularity in the late 1880s and 1890s, when short two-syllable names ending in 'a' were fashionable.
- In Eastern European regions, Zula historically served as a diminutive form of Zuzanna, the Slavic form of Susanna.