Iola is a unique and charming name of Hawaiian origin. It is derived from the Hawaiian word 'iwa', which means "to cry out" or "to shout". The name Iola is often associated with strength, courage, and determination, as it is believed to represent someone who can shout or cry out above the noise and stand tall amidst adversity.
The history of the name Iola is not extensively documented, but it is believed to have been popularized in the late 19th century by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. She used the name for a character in her novel "Oldtown Folks", published in 1869. Since then, the name has gained popularity among parents seeking distinctive and meaningful names for their daughters.
Today, Iola remains a relatively uncommon name, but it continues to capture the hearts of those who appreciate its unique sound and significant meaning. It is often associated with individuals who possess inner strength and resilience, traits that are reflected in its Hawaiian origins. Overall, Iola is a beautiful and powerful name that carries a rich history and meaningful symbolism.
The name Iola experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a total of 9644 births recorded between 1880 and 2023. After starting with modest numbers between 15 to 26 births per year from 1880 to 1887, it began to gain traction, peaking at 368 births in 1918. However, it faced a steady decline thereafter, dropping below 100 births per year by 1940 and continuing to fluctuate between 5 and 23 births annually until the late 1970s. Since then, Iola has been quite uncommon, with fewer than 11 births recorded in each of the past 20 years.