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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ola

Ola

♀ Girl

Pronounced OH-lah /ˈoʊ.lɑ/Medium

Meaning: Variously a short form of Olga/Aleksandra (Scandinavian/Slavic, 'an ancestor's descendant; defender') and a Yoruba name, 'wealth; honor'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: An ancestor's relic; wealth: Ola is Scandinavian/Yoruba. Crisp, classic, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'OH-lah').
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Origin LowScandinavian, Yoruba
MeaningVariously a short form of Olga/Aleksandra (Scandinavian/Slavic, 'an ancestor's descendant; defender') and a Yoruba name, 'wealth; honor'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#7149 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 29,637

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802024

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

Ola comes variously from a short form of Olga/Aleksandra (Scandinavian/Slavic, 'an ancestor's descendant; defender') and from a Yoruba name, 'wealth; honor' (routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; said 'OH-lah').

In the U.S. it appears in Polish, Scandinavian, and Nigerian families. Rare, an-ancestor's-relic-and-wealth at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Ola is variously a short form of Olga/Aleksandra ('an ancestor's descendant; defender') and a Yoruba name, 'wealth; honor' — a crisp, classic name, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'OH-lah').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Ola — unisex; routes layered

Variations

OlgaOlahOlla

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ola…

Olga— a name it shortens
Lola— a sound-neighbor -ola girls' name
Aleksandra— a fuller form it shortens
Rya— a fellow Scandinavian choice
Sia— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Ola

By themeuncertainunisexhonorscandinavianyoruba
By meaningProtectorWealthHonor

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ola mean?

Ola is variously a short form of Olga/Aleksandra ('an ancestor's descendant') and Yoruba 'wealth; honor'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ola?

It's said OH-lah /ˈoʊ.lɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ola a boy or girl name?

Ola is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Ola?

Ola is a rare name in the U.S.

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