Zula

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZOO-lah /ˈzu.lə/High

Meaning: Variously a short form of Zuleika ('brilliant; lovely', Persian/Arabic), an African (Zulu-linked) name, and a coinage; routes uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A short form of Zuleika; brilliant: Zula. Crisp, modern, and warm.

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Origin LowArabic, American

MeaningVariously a short form of Zuleika ('brilliant; lovely', Persian/Arabic), an African (Zulu-linked) name, and a coinage; routes uncertain

U.S. rank (2024)#7560 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births15 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,445

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

Zula is variously a short form of Zuleika ('brilliant; lovely', Persian/Arabic), an African (Zulu-linked) name, and a coinage (routes uncertain, which we flag honestly). A crisp, modern name (said 'ZOO-lah').

In the U.S. it appears thinly. Rare, a-short-form-of-Zuleika, and modern.

Did you know? Zula is variously a short form of Zuleika ('brilliant; lovely', Persian/Arabic), an African (Zulu-linked) name, and a coinage — a crisp, modern name (the routes are uncertain, which we note; said 'ZOO-lah').

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Zula — routes uncertain

Variations

ZulahZuleikaZulu

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zula…

Zuleika— a name it shortens

Zara— a sound-neighbor Z- girls' name

Zola— a fellow Z- girls' name

Lula— another -ula girls' name

Explore names like Zula

By themeuncertain arabic african

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zula mean?

Zula is variously a short form of Zuleika ('brilliant; lovely') and an African name; the routes are uncertain, so we flag it.

How do you pronounce Zula?

It's said ZOO-lah /ˈzu.lə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zula a boy or girl name?

Zula is a girl's name.

How popular is Zula?

Zula is a rare name in the U.S.