Meaning and history
Zola has several possible origins, including use as a Southern African name and adoption from the surname of French novelist Émile Zola. In Xhosa and Zulu contexts it is associated with a root meaning “calm” or “be peaceful.” South African musician Zola and American singer Zola Taylor are notable bearers.
20062006: 54 births, rank #3,090
2007: 46 births, rank #3,531
2008: 48 births, rank #3,420
2009: 50 births, rank #3,298
2010: 44 births, rank #3,572
20112011: 57 births, rank #2,989
2012: 96 births, rank #2,016
2013: 101 births, rank #1,953
2014: 127 births, rank #1,665
2015: 130 births, rank #1,643
20162016: 186 births, rank #1,291
2017: 240 births, rank #1,067
2018: 278 births, rank #953
2019: 266 births, rank #975
2020: 277 births, rank #932
20212021: 265 births, rank #979
2022: 250 births, rank #1,026
2023: 219 births, rank #1,120
2024: 222 births, rank #1,103
20252025: 167 births, rank #1,334
Zola moved from #935 to #982 for girls between 2020 and 2021. Its highest annual birth count came in 2018, with 278 births.