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Home › Baby Names Directory › Iola

Iola

♀ Girl

Pronounced eye-OH-lah /aɪˈoʊ.lɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Greek Iola/Iole, 'violet; violet-colored; dawn'; also a Welsh feminine name. A soft vintage name; routes vary.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft vintage name: Iola means 'violet; dawn' (said 'eye-OH-lah'). Also Welsh — routes vary, which we note.
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Origin MediumGreek, Welsh
MeaningFrom the Greek Iola/Iole, 'violet; violet-colored; dawn'; also a Welsh feminine name. A soft vintage name; routes vary.
U.S. rank (2025)#12412 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 9,659

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Iola traces to the Greek Iola/Iole, 'violet; violet-colored; dawn,' and is also a Welsh name. It reads gently vintage — the two routes braid together, which we note — rare in the U.S. (said 'eye-OH-lah').

It appears rarely, more common in past generations. Rare, soft, and vintage.

Did you know? Iola comes from the Greek Iole ('violet; dawn') and also appears as a Welsh feminine name — a soft, vintage pick whose route varies, which we note (said 'eye-OH-lah').
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Iola — Greek Iole 'violet; dawn'; also Welsh; routes vary

Variations

IoleIolantheIolah

Nicknames

IoLola

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Iola…

Viola— a like violet-rooted name
Lola— a like soft -ola name
Nola— a like vintage -ola pick
Iona— a like gentle vowel-bright name

Explore names like Iola

By themegreekvintagesoftwelsh
By meaningLightFlowerDawn / Morning

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Iola mean?

Iola is from the Greek Iole ('violet; dawn') and is also a Welsh name; the route varies, which we note.

How do you pronounce Iola?

It's said eye-OH-lah /aɪˈoʊ.lɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Iola a boy or girl name?

Iola is a girl's name.

How popular is Iola?

Iola is a rare name in the U.S.

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