← All names

Ola

Girl name · 19 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ola: 19 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 5 births in 2009.

Ola carries distinct stories from two different corners of Europe. In Poland and other Slavic countries, it began as a short form of Aleksandra, meaning “defender of mankind,” but has long been used as an independent given name in its own right. From Scandinavia comes an older root, tracing back to Old Norse *anu* (“ancestor”) or *anu-leifr* (“ancestral relic”), giving it a sense of heritage and continuity. Notable Olas include Ola Rotimi, the celebrated Nigerian playwright, and Ola Svensson, a Swedish pop singer. The name also appears in the strong, masculine Arabic form (from “ulah” meaning “sublimity”), used across the Middle East. In Scotland, Ola has steadily risen as a fresh, short choice for girls, loved for its clean sound and international flair. It shares a root with the Norse-derived Olaf and Olav.