Zola
Zola is a girls' name of African origin meaning “be calm, be quiet.” Zola is a Xhosa name from South Africa meaning be calm or be quiet, with Nokuzola as a common feminine form.
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how do you pronounce Zola?
ZOH-lah
where does the name Zola come from?
A Xhosa name from South Africa meaning be calm or be quiet; Nokuzola is a common feminine form. Zola is also an unrelated Italian surname.
It is popular across South Africa and the wider African diaspora, prized for its melodic simplicity and serene meaning.
how popular is this name?
Zola has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 67 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 75. It peaked at #363 in 1895, and ranked #979 in 2021.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2021 | #979 |
| 2020 | #932 |
| 2019 | #975 |
| 2018 | #953 |
| 1940 | #915 |
| 1930 | #652 |
| 1920 | #527 |
| 1910 | #449 |
| 1900 | #489 |
| 1895 | #363 |
| 1890 | #462 |
| 1880 | #679 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Zola fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Zola
The name is popular in South Africa and other African countries and has spread internationally, ranking 990th among US names in 2021.
who are famous people named Zola?
- Zola Budd (South African Olympic runner)
what are the nicknames and variants of Zola?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Zola?
what names go well with Zola?
Sibling names that share Zola's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Zola
What does the name Zola mean?
Zola means “be calm, be quiet”.
What is the origin of the name Zola?
Zola comes from the African naming tradition. Related forms include Nokuzola.
How popular is the name Zola?
Zola ranked #979 in the US in 2021, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1895, at #363, and it has spent 67 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Zola a boy or girl name?
Zola is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Zola?
Zola is pronounced ZOH-lah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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