Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ola
GirlNorwegian, Polish· “several possible sources”
- Meaning
- several possible sources
- Origin
- Norwegian, Polish
- Pronunciation
- OH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #8,227
- US babies 2025
- 13
- Best rank
- #140 (1886)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Ola
Ola is a Norwegian and Polish name that is usually said to mean “several possible sources”.
Ola is a short name with several sources. In Norway and Sweden, Ola is a masculine form of Olaf, ancestor's heir. In Poland, Ola is a short form of Aleksandra, defender of the people. In Yoruba, Ola means wealth or honor and is a common element in names such as Olamide. In the US, Ola was used for girls in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is pronounced OH-luh.
Popularity over time
Ola 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 78 different years. Its best national rank was #140 in 1886, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 755 were named Ola. In 2025, 13 babies were named Ola, and it ranked #8,227 nationally. That is 28% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #239 in 1920, #569 in 1950, #4,261 in 1980, #6,406 in 2000, #12,018 in 2010, and #8,227 in 2025. Of the 29,651 US girls named Ola since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 5,767 babies. Since 2010, 207 more have been named Ola.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ina, Eleanore, Etta, Jewel, and Leola.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ola is usually pronounced OH-luh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with O and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Ola
A few middle names that flow with Ola: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ola
Similar names
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Lists that include Ola
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ola mean?
Ola is a Norwegian and Polish name that is usually said to mean “several possible sources”.
What is the origin of the name Ola?
Ola has Norwegian, Polish, and Yoruba roots. Ola is a short name with several sources.
Is Ola a popular name?
Not especially. Ola ranked #8,227 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ola a boy or girl name?
Ola is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ola?
Ola is usually pronounced OH-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