Lola means sorrows — a shortened form of the Spanish Dolores (from the Virgin Mary's title Our Lady of Sorrows). But the name sounds nothing like sorrow: four letters of pure, playful, irresistible energy. The Kinks' Lola is one of rock's most famous songs. Run Lola Run is one of cinema's most exhilarating films. Whatever its meaning, Lola sounds like someone having the time of her life.
Spanish Dolores (sorrows, from Our Lady of Sorrows)→pet form Lola
1
Spanish roots
Lola originated as a Spanish pet form of Dolores, meaning sorrows — from the title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). Despite this solemn origin, Lola has always carried a playful, vivacious energy. The Kinks' Lola (1970) is one of the most famous songs in rock history. Run Lola Run (1998) was a German film sensation. Lola Montez was the 19th-century dancer who brought down a king. Barry Manilow's Copacabana made Lola the name of a showgirl. The name has been climbing the US charts rapidly.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Spanish diminutive used for centuries; became internationally known through various cultural references.
3
Today
Lola remains a beloved choice, ranking #247 in the US. 96,020 babies have been named Lola since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Lola?
1919peak year
Lola appears in U.S. registration data going all the way back to 1880, when records begin. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 1919, 1,617 babies received the name (ranked #142). Today it sits around #247, with roughly 1,284 babies named Lola each year. Lola's usage has held roughly steady recently. In total, around 96,020 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
1,617 Babies named in peak year (ranked #142)
1,284Avg. per year (last decade)
12,840Total registrations last 10 years
96,020All-time total (since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #247)Very popular
Lola's Life Path 5 is the adventurer's number — matching the name's irrepressible, run-Lola-run energy. People named Lola tend to be vivacious, bold, and incapable of sitting still. They live at full volume.
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Lives at full volume
✦
Vivacious and bold
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Irrepressible energy
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Incapable of boring
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Life of the party
L3
O6
L3
A1
Sum: 13 → Life path 4
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Personality of Lola
🏛️
Steady & reliable
When they make a promise, they keep it.
📐
Methodical
Thorough, careful, precise.
💪
Quietly powerful
Their strength is always there when it matters.
🌿
Grounded
No matter what swirls around them, they stay centred.
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