Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lola
GirlSpanish· “short for Dolores, sorrows”
- Meaning
- short for Dolores, sorrows
- Origin
- Spanish
- Pronunciation
- LOH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #275
- US babies 2025
- 1,132
- Best rank
- #99 (1904)
- Peak year
- 1919
Meaning and origin of Lola
Lola is a Spanish name that means “short for Dolores, sorrows”.
Lola began as a Spanish pet form of Dolores, which comes from the Marian title María de los Dolores, "Mary of Sorrows." The name became famous internationally through Lola Montez, the nineteenth-century dancer and adventurer who adopted it as a stage name. It also appears in popular songs across the decades, giving it a lively, artistic reputation. Today Lola is used as an independent name throughout Europe and the Americas, loved for its playful rhythm and vintage glamour. It is short and cheerful, but it can grow up easily and feels at home on an adult as well as a child.
Popularity over time
Lola has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 123 different years. Its best national rank was #99 in 1904, and the most babies received it in 1919, when 1,617 were named Lola. In 2025, 1,132 babies were named Lola, and it ranked #275 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #147 in 1920, #310 in 1950, #989 in 1980, #1,317 in 2000, #211 in 2010, and #275 in 2025. Of the 96,892 US girls named Lola since records began, 15% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 13,900 babies. Since 2010, 21,043 more have been named Lola.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Winifred, Flora, Olga, Erma, and Susie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lola ranked highest in Minnesota, Hawaii, and Utah.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lola is usually pronounced LOH-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Lola
A few middle names that flow with Lola: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lola
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Lists that include Lola
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lola mean?
Lola is a Spanish name that means “short for Dolores, sorrows”.
What is the origin of the name Lola?
Lola has Spanish roots. Lola began as a Spanish pet form of Dolores, which comes from the Marian title María de los Dolores, "Mary of Sorrows." The name became famous internationally through Lola Montez, the nineteenth-century dancer and adventurer who adopted it as a stage name.
Is Lola a popular name?
Yes. Lola ranked #275 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lola a boy or girl name?
Lola is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lola?
Lola is usually pronounced LOH-luh. 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