Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lala
GirlEnglish, Slavic· “pet form; uncertain”
- Meaning
- pet form; uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- LAH-lah
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #8,635
- US babies 2025
- 12
- Best rank
- #738 (1900)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Lala
Lala is often said to mean “pet form; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Slavic roots.
Lala is a pet form found in many languages, often as a childish reduplication of names such as Laura, Eulalia or Lavinia. It is said LAH-lah. The name is playful and musical, and its sound is familiar from lullabies. In Slavic languages lala can mean tulip, from the Turkish lale, and in some Bulgarian and Serbian uses it is a name in its own right. Because it has many unrelated sources, no single meaning should be claimed.
Popularity over time
Lala first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 1884. Its best national rank was #738 in 1900, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 39 were named Lala. In 2025, 12 babies were named Lala, and it ranked #8,635 nationally. That is 33% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,569 in 1920, #2,720 in 1950, #8,623 in 1980, #12,538 in 2000, #10,870 in 2010, and #8,635 in 2025. Of the 1,778 US girls named Lala since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 278 babies. Since 2010, 168 more have been named Lala.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lovella, Paralee, Flavia, Ellouise, and Classie.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lala is usually pronounced LAH-lah, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Lala
A few middle names that flow with Lala: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lala
Similar names
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Lists that include Lala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lala mean?
Lala is often said to mean “pet form; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Slavic roots.
What is the origin of the name Lala?
Lala has English and Slavic roots. Lala is a pet form found in many languages, often as a childish reduplication of names such as Laura, Eulalia or Lavinia.
Is Lala a popular name?
Not especially. Lala ranked #8,635 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lala a boy or girl name?
Lala is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lala?
Lala is usually pronounced LAH-lah. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings