Sula Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SOO-lah /ˈsuːlə/
Origin: Arabic; African
Meaning: Arabic: 'peace'; African: 'to be calm'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sula has its roots in various linguistic traditions, with potential origins in Hebrew and Arabic. In Hebrew, the name is often associated with the word "sula," which means "to be peaceful" or "tranquil." This connection to peace is significant in many cultures, as it evokes a sense of calm and serenity.
The Arabic influence may also contribute to the name's meaning, with similar phonetic structures found in Arabic names that convey notions of tranquility and beauty. The name Sula entered the English lexicon through various cultural exchanges, particularly during the periods of trade and interaction between the Middle East and Europe, where names often traveled alongside cultural practices and religious beliefs.
Historically, the name Sula has been linked to notable figures and events. One prominent association is with Sula, a character in the biblical Book of Ruth, which has been a significant text in Jewish and Christian traditions since its composition in the early centuries of the Common Era.
The name also appears in various literary works, including Toni Morrison's novel "Sula," published in 1973, which explores themes of friendship, community, and the complexities of female identity. This literary connection has contributed to the name's resonance in cultural discussions surrounding gender and race.
Culturally, Sula embodies themes of strength and resilience, often symbolizing a deep connection to heritage and identity. The name's association with peace and tranquility has made it a meaningful choice in various traditions, reflecting the values of harmony and stability.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Sully may arise in familial or affectionate contexts, further embedding the name within personal and cultural narratives. Overall, Sula carries a rich tapestry of meanings and associations that reflect its historical and cultural significance.
Famous people named Sula
In this section, you will find notable people named Sula. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Sula who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sula who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Sula is a fictional character in the novel Sula by Toni Morrison, known for her complex relationship with her childhood friend Nel.
Fictional characters named Sula
The following list of fictional characters named Sula is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Sula Peace is a fictional character from the novel Sula by Toni Morrison. She is a complex woman who challenges societal norms and embodies themes of friendship and betrayal.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sula, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Sula. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Sula was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Sula has ranked as high as #2497 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas.
In the past 5 years the name Sula has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sula is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Sula was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Sula.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 7 |
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2015 | 10 | 10 |
| 2014 | 9 | 9 |
| 2013 | 9 | 9 |
| 2012 | 8 | 8 |
| 2011 | 6 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 | 5 |
| 1968 | 6 | 6 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 |
| 1961 | 6 | 6 |
| 1960 | 5 | 5 |
| 1959 | 10 | 10 |
| 1958 | 7 | 7 |
| 1953 | 6 | 6 |
| 1951 | 8 | 8 |
| 1950 | 8 | 8 |
| 1949 | 13 | 13 |
| 1948 | 15 | 15 |
| 1947 | 10 | 10 |
| 1946 | 19 | 19 |
| 1945 | 10 | 10 |
| 1944 | 17 | 17 |
| 1943 | 16 | 16 |
| 1942 | 12 | 12 |
| 1941 | 13 | 13 |
| 1940 | 11 | 11 |
| 1939 | 12 | 12 |
| 1938 | 9 | 9 |
| 1937 | 16 | 16 |
| 1936 | 12 | 12 |
| 1935 | 18 | 18 |
| 1934 | 21 | 21 |
| 1933 | 15 | 15 |
| 1932 | 18 | 18 |
| 1931 | 12 | 12 |
| 1930 | 18 | 18 |
| 1929 | 17 | 17 |
| 1928 | 9 | 9 |
| 1927 | 20 | 20 |
| 1926 | 21 | 21 |
| 1925 | 28 | 28 |
| 1924 | 23 | 23 |
| 1923 | 24 | 24 |
| 1922 | 22 | 22 |
| 1921 | 34 | 34 |
| 1920 | 25 | 25 |
| 1919 | 28 | 28 |
| 1918 | 26 | 26 |
| 1917 | 31 | 31 |
| 1916 | 28 | 28 |
| 1915 | 27 | 27 |
| 1914 | 32 | 32 |
| 1913 | 27 | 27 |
| 1912 | 14 | 14 |
| 1911 | 23 | 23 |
| 1910 | 15 | 15 |
| 1909 | 17 | 17 |
| 1908 | 19 | 19 |
| 1907 | 22 | 22 |
| 1906 | 17 | 17 |
| 1905 | 16 | 16 |
| 1904 | 15 | 15 |
| 1903 | 14 | 14 |
| 1902 | 9 | 9 |
| 1901 | 19 | 19 |
| 1900 | 27 | 27 |
| 1899 | 18 | 18 |
| 1898 | 17 | 17 |
| 1897 | 16 | 16 |
| 1896 | 22 | 22 |
| 1895 | 12 | 12 |
| 1894 | 12 | 12 |
| 1893 | 15 | 15 |
| 1892 | 16 | 16 |
| 1891 | 18 | 18 |
| 1890 | 14 | 14 |
| 1889 | 17 | 17 |
| 1888 | 18 | 18 |
| 1887 | 12 | 12 |
| 1886 | 10 | 10 |
| 1885 | 7 | 7 |
| 1884 | 12 | 12 |
| 1883 | 7 | 7 |
| 1882 | 10 | 10 |
| 1881 | 6 | 6 |
| 1880 | 9 | 9 |
Top States for Sula (1946)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KY | 5 |