Tola Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TOH-lah //ˈtoʊ.lə//
Origin: Hebrew; African
Meaning: Hebrew: 'to be good'; African: 'peaceful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tola has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "תּוֹלָע" (Tola), which means "worm" or "maggot." This etymology is significant in the context of the biblical narrative, as Tola is also the name of a minor judge mentioned in the Book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Judges 10:1-2. Tola, the son of Puah, is noted for his leadership over Israel for twenty-three years, during which he is described as a figure of stability and justice in a tumultuous period of Israelite history.
The name's biblical association lends it a historical depth that resonates with themes of resilience and divine guidance. The name Tola appears in various forms across different cultures and languages, often maintaining its original spelling or slight variations.
In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the name is rendered as "Tola" as well, preserving its phonetic qualities. This continuity through translations reflects the name's enduring significance in religious contexts, particularly within Jewish and Christian traditions.
The name has been carried through centuries, often associated with strength and leadership, echoing the characteristics of its biblical namesake. Culturally, Tola has been embraced in various communities, often symbolizing a connection to heritage and faith.
The name's association with a biblical judge contributes to its resonance as a symbol of moral authority and governance. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, such as Tolly or Tolie, the name Tola itself remains a testament to its historical and cultural significance, embodying themes of perseverance and leadership that have transcended time.
Famous people named Tola
In this section, you will find notable people named Tola. 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 Tola who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Tola 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.
Tola Adeyemi is a writer best known for Children of Blood and Bone, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, and the Legacy of Orïsha series.
Tola Onanuga is a journalist best known for her work with The Guardian and BBC News.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tola, 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 Tola. 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 Tola was first seen in the United States in 1899.
Tola has ranked as high as #1341 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Tola has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tola 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 Tola was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tola
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Tola.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 1936 | 6 |
| 1934 | 5 |
| 1929 | 9 |
| 1920 | 6 |
| 1919 | 8 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1917 | 9 |
| 1911 | 6 |
| 1903 | 5 |
| 1899 | 6 |