Zola Girl

Popularity: #781 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZOH-lah /ˈzoʊ.lə/

Origin: African; Hebrew

Meaning: African: quiet; Hebrew: stillness

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zola has its roots in the African language of Zulu, where it means "calm" or "tranquil." This etymology reflects a serene quality, which is significant in various cultural contexts. The name was later adopted into French, where it became associated with the literary figure Émile Zola, a prominent novelist of the late 19th century known for his contributions to the naturalism literary movement.

His works, which often explored social issues and the human condition, helped to popularize the name in French-speaking regions and beyond. Historically, the name Zola gained further recognition through its association with notable figures in literature and the arts.

Émile Zola, born in 1840, was instrumental in the development of modern literature and is best known for his series of novels titled "Les Rougon-Macquart," which depicted the lives of a family during the Second French Empire. His influence extended to the Dreyfus Affair, where he famously penned the open letter "J'accuse" in 1898, advocating for justice and exposing anti-Semitism in France.

This pivotal moment in history not only solidified his legacy but also brought attention to the name Zola in cultural discussions. In addition to its literary connections, the name Zola carries symbolic weight in various cultures.

It embodies qualities of peace and stability, resonating with parents seeking names that reflect a sense of calmness and strength. The name's simplicity and elegance contribute to its enduring appeal across different cultures.

While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Zola stands strong in its own right, representing a blend of cultural significance and historical depth.

Famous people named Zola

In this section, you will find notable people named Zola. 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 Zola who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Zola 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.

Zola Budd is a former middle-distance runner best known for her participation in the 1984 Olympics and her world record in the 5000 meters.

Fictional characters named Zola

The following list of fictional characters named Zola 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.

Zola is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a skilled scientist and ally of Captain America, known for her contributions to the fight against Hydra.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zola, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ZaraZinaZadieZuriZinaida

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zola. 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.

NolaLolaSolaMilaZinaZaraZinaidaZelia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zola was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Zola has ranked as high as #1727 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Texas, California, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Zola has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zola 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 Zola 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 Zola.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 167 0 167
2024 222 0 222
2023 219 0 219
2022 250 0 250
2021 265 0 265
2020 277 0 277
2019 266 0 266
2018 283 5 278
2017 240 0 240
2016 186 0 186
2015 130 0 130
2014 127 0 127
2013 101 0 101
2012 96 0 96
2011 57 0 57
2010 44 0 44
2009 50 0 50
2008 48 0 48
2007 46 0 46
2006 54 0 54
2005 35 0 35
2004 24 0 24
2003 31 0 31
2002 18 0 18
2001 28 0 28
2000 26 0 26
1999 21 0 21
1998 10 0 10
1997 6 0 6
1996 9 0 9
1995 7 0 7
1994 15 0 15
1993 8 0 8
1992 5 0 5
1991 9 0 9
1989 8 0 8
1988 5 0 5
1987 5 0 5
1986 8 0 8
1985 9 0 9
1983 6 0 6
1981 5 0 5
1980 5 0 5
1979 6 0 6
1978 13 0 13
1977 7 0 7
1976 6 0 6
1975 7 0 7
1974 10 0 10
1973 11 0 11
1972 10 0 10
1971 15 0 15
1970 15 0 15
1969 9 0 9
1968 11 0 11
1967 12 0 12
1966 15 0 15
1965 16 0 16
1964 9 0 9
1963 12 0 12
1962 19 0 19
1961 24 0 24
1960 22 0 22
1959 42 0 42
1958 25 0 25
1957 27 0 27
1956 44 0 44
1955 36 0 36
1954 42 0 42
1953 36 0 36
1952 33 0 33
1951 32 0 32
1950 31 0 31
1949 57 0 57
1948 39 0 39
1947 49 0 49
1946 42 0 42
1945 38 0 38
1944 54 0 54
1943 63 0 63
1942 46 0 46
1941 65 0 65
1940 61 0 61
1939 76 0 76
1938 74 0 74
1937 85 0 85
1936 53 0 53
1935 54 0 54
1934 109 0 109
1933 94 0 94
1932 74 0 74
1931 82 0 82
1930 111 0 111
1929 119 0 119
1928 129 0 129
1927 116 0 116
1926 124 0 124
1925 154 0 154
1924 184 0 184
1923 150 5 145
1922 176 5 171
1921 171 0 171
1920 180 0 180
1919 172 0 172
1918 176 0 176
1917 142 5 137
1916 173 6 167
1915 148 0 148
1914 101 0 101
1913 114 0 114
1912 113 0 113
1911 78 0 78
1910 79 0 79
1909 59 0 59
1908 70 0 70
1907 53 0 53
1906 59 0 59
1905 66 0 66
1904 46 0 46
1903 64 0 64
1902 58 0 58
1901 56 0 56
1900 48 0 48
1899 49 0 49
1898 62 0 62
1897 51 0 51
1896 47 0 47
1895 60 0 60
1894 51 0 51
1893 34 0 34
1892 27 0 27
1891 29 0 29
1890 32 0 32
1889 22 0 22
1888 23 0 23
1887 23 0 23
1886 8 0 8
1885 12 0 12
1884 14 0 14
1883 10 0 10
1882 9 0 9
1881 10 0 10
1880 7 0 7

Top States for Zola (2024)

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
NY 18
11%
NC 14
9%
MI 12
7%
GA 12
7%
OH 12
7%
CA 11
7%
FL 10
6%
IL 10
6%
PA 10
6%
LA 9
6%
SC 9
6%
TX 8
5%
MO 6
4%
NJ 6
4%
VA 5
3%
CO 5
3%
KY 5
3%