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Zola

Girl name · 9 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Zola: 9 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2018.

Of multiple origins, Zola is most familiar to English speakers through the French writer Émile Zola, from whom the surname-based name derives. It also has roots in the Xhosa and Zulu languages, where it means 'calm' or 'peace'. Famous bearers include South African athlete Zola Budd, who ran barefoot at the Olympics, and Zola Taylor, a singer with The Platters. Places linked to the name include Zola Predosa in Italy, and a crater on Mercury named after the novelist. A further note: Zola gained modern popularity as a stylish, short choice with multicultural appeal, and appears in Marvel comics as the villain Arnim Zola, adding a pop-culture edge.