Nola is a distinctive choice, ranked #226 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Nola in their class.
💎
UK Rank 2024
#226
US Rank #766
About the Name Nola
Nola is steadily gaining in popularity, up 26 places over the past five years. Its best recorded rank was #206 in 2021, and it currently sits at #226. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Nola is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #766 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Nola
Unlikely. With around 210 UK babies named Nola per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Nola in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Nola is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 26 places over the last five years to #226 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
Nola is more popular in the UK (#226) than in the US (#766). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Nola include: Nola Ishmael — Nola Ishmael is a Barbadian nurse who became the first black or minority ethnic director of nursing in London.; Nola Nahulu — Nola Ann Nāhulu is an American choral conductor.; Nola Pender — Nola J..
Nola ranks #766 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
210
UK babies named Nola (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↑ 26 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Nola
Likely around 1 other Nola in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Nola
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Nola Leigh Millar was a New Zealand librarian, theatre director, critic and administrator. She was born in Wellington, New Zealand, on 18 February 1913.
Nola Ishmael is a Barbadian nurse who became the first black or minority ethnic director of nursing in London. She was appointed OBE in the 2000 birthday honours list.
Nola Ann Nāhulu is an American choral conductor. She is the artistic director of the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus (HYOC), as well as the Kawaiahaʻo Church Choir, Kawaiolaonāpukanileo, an a cappella Hawaiian choral ensemble, and others.