Dula is of African origin, specifically from the Amharic ethnic group of Ethiopia. It is believed to mean "to raise up" or "to elevate". This name carries a sense of empowerment and upliftment, reflecting the cultural values of its native community. It is pronounced /'duːlə/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. Dula is predominantly used as a male given name but can also be found used for females in some regions. Its usage has not been widely recorded outside of Ethiopia, making it somewhat unique and distinctive in other cultures.
The name Dula saw a peak in popularity between 1920 and 1927 with the highest number of births recorded in 1927 at 12. The early years (1896 to 1919) had fewer births, ranging from 5 to 9 per year. After 1929, there was a significant decline in the popularity of this name, with fewer than 9 births recorded each year until 1937.