Ola is a name of Nigerian origin, meaning "wealth" or "prosperity". It is traditionally given to girls, but it can also be used for boys. The name Ola has a long history in Nigeria, with many notable people bearing the name. In recent years, it has gained popularity worldwide as a unisex name.
The name Ola has a fascinating history of popularity and usage in the United States over the past century and a half. Between 1880 and 2023, there have been a total of 29,620 births with the name Ola.
In its early years, Ola was quite popular, with over 250 births per year between 1890 and 1900. The peak of this era occurred in 1907, with 350 babies named Ola. However, the popularity of the name began to decline in the early 1900s.
By the 1920s and 1930s, the number of births with the name Ola had decreased significantly, with fewer than 500 births per year on average. The name continued to lose popularity throughout the mid-20th century, with only a handful of babies being named Ola each year between the 1940s and the 1970s.
The late 20th century saw even fewer births with the name Ola. Between 1980 and 2000, there were an average of just 15 births per year with the name. In recent years, the popularity of Ola has fluctuated somewhat but remained relatively low. Since 2010, there have been between 6 and 17 births with the name Ola each year.
Despite its decline in popularity over time, the name Ola still holds historical significance in the United States. Its usage patterns provide insight into changing naming trends and preferences across generations.