The nameLola
Lola is a girl's name of Spanish origin, a pet form of Dolores, meaning "sorrows". It is popular in Britain and France.
- Girl's name
- Spanish
Meaning
Lola is a pet form of Dolores, from the Spanish María de los Dolores, "Mary of Sorrows".
Origin
Spanish. Lola Montez, a dancer of the 19th century, made it famous in Europe.
History
Songs by The Kinks (Lola, 1970) and Barry Manilow (Copacabana) kept the name in the spotlight. It reached the top 30 in England and Wales and is a leading name in France.
Lola in other languages
Lola is the Spanish pet form of Dolores. It is spelled the same in almost every language, and Spanish also has the pet form Lolita.
Did you know?
- The dancer Lola Montez was the favourite of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who made her a countess.
- Lola, Jacques Demy's first feature film (1961), starred Anouk Aimée in the title role.
Famous people named Lola
- Lola Montez, dancer
- Lola Flores, singer and dancer
- Lola Young, singer
Popularity of the name Lola
Lola in the United States
Lola was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 14,746 births over the decade, 15% of all recorded babies named Lola. Half of all babies named Lola in the United States were born before 1938, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,200 births a year.
Lola in the United Kingdom
Lola was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 15,079 births over the decade, 57% of all recorded babies named Lola. Its rise began around 2003, and it peaked in 2012. Half of all babies named Lola in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 672 births a year on average, against 1,107 in the five years before.
Lola in Ireland
Lola in France
Lola in Belgium
Lola in Switzerland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Lola
Names from the same generation as Lola, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Lola? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Lola with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Lola side by side with the name of your choice.
Lola in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lola mean?
Lola is a pet form of Dolores, from the Spanish María de los Dolores, "Mary of Sorrows".
What is the origin of the name Lola?
Spanish. Lola Montez, a dancer of the 19th century, made it famous in Europe.
Is Lola a girl's or a boy's name?
Lola is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Lola?
In 2024, Lola was the 272nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,155 births.
What are the variants of the name Lola?
Variants and related names of Lola include Dolores and Lolita.
What are good sibling names for Lola?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Leila, Lila, Serenity and Eva for a sister, Lukas, Kayden, Romeo and Titus for a brother.
Who are famous people named Lola?
Lola Montez, dancer; Lola Flores, singer and dancer; Lola Young, singer.