Iola Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Iola is a name of Greek origin meaning 'violet' or 'purple.' It has evolved from its ancient Greek roots to modern usage, reflecting a connection to beauty and nature. The name does not have biblical significance and gained popularity in the late 19th century. Today, it is perceived as elegant and unique, with notable bearers contributing to its recognition.
The name Iola is most popular in Nebraska, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Iola has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Iola' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 374th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 632nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1652nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5527th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15798th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 19768th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10807th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Iola' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Iola"
Pronunciation
/aɪˈoʊlə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Iola is derived from the Greek word 'iōlos,' which means 'violet' or 'purple.' It is also associated with the character Iola in Greek mythology, who was the daughter of the hero Iolaus.
Meaning
violet, purple
Language Evolution
Iola (Modern English), Iola (Ancient Greek)
Historical Usage
The name Iola gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, possibly due to its melodic sound and association with nature.
Variants & Derivatives
Iole, Iolana
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Iola is seen as a unique and elegant name, with a vintage charm. It is less common than many traditional names, which adds to its appeal.
Famous People
Iola Roberts, an American painter, Iola McGowan, an American author
Explore More Iola Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Iola"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Iola"
"Iola" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 374th of 9107 | 5,527 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 632nd of 9204 | 2,256 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1652nd of 12526 | 768 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5527th of 19264 | 146 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 15798th of 27321 | 35 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 19768th of 35406 | 41 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10807th of 30306 | 104 |
Regional Popularity of "Iola" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Iola" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
22.18% 314th/1416 |
40.83% 563rd/1379 |
15.47% 366th/2366 |
38.18% 436th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
39.20% 606th/1546 |
61.70% 960th/1556 |
22.82% 537th/2353 |
74.27% 1149th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
87.20% 1942nd/2227 |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
49.04% 1399th/2853 |
94.59% 2625th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Iola"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Iola" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.