Nuala

♀ Girl

Pronounced NOO-ah-lah /ˈnu.ə.lə/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Fionnuala — from Irish, 'fair/white shoulder' (fionn, 'fair; white', + guala, 'shoulder')Low

In 30 seconds: Fair/white shoulder: Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'NOO-ah-lah').

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Origin LowIrish

MeaningA short form of Fionnuala — from Irish, 'fair/white shoulder' (fionn, 'fair; white', + guala, 'shoulder')

U.S. rank (2025)#12837 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 363

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala — from Irish, 'fair/white shoulder' (fionn, 'fair; white', + guala, 'shoulder'; the swan-maiden of the Children of Lir). A lyrical, classic name (said 'NOO-ah-lah').

In the U.S. it appears in Irish families. Rare, fair-white-shoulder at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Fionnuala means 'fair/white shoulder' in Irish (fionn, 'fair; white', + guala, 'shoulder') — the swan-maiden of the Children of Lir — Nuala is its short form, lyrical and classic (said 'NOO-ah-lah').

Overall data confidence 46%

References — Fionnuala — Irish etymology

Variations

FionnualaFinolaNola

Nicknames

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nuala mean?

Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala — Irish 'fair/white shoulder'.

How do you pronounce Nuala?

It's said NOO-ah-lah /ˈnu.ə.lə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nuala a boy or girl name?

Nuala is a girl's name.

How popular is Nuala?

Nuala is a rare name in the U.S.