Abiola is a unique and captivating female name of Yoruba origin from Nigeria in West Africa. It is derived from the Yoruba words "abi" meaning "there is" and "ola" which signifies wealth, honor or abundance. Therefore, Abiola means "There is wealth".
The name Abiola has a rich history and cultural significance in Nigeria. It was popularized by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria's prominent politicians during the colonial era. He named his daughter Abiola, who later became a renowned philanthropist and businesswoman.
Abiola is also associated with courage and resilience. One notable figure bearing this name is Kudirat Abiola, the wife of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Nigeria's presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election. Despite her husband's detention and eventual death, Kudirat stood firmly against the military dictatorship, advocating for democracy until her own untimely death.
Today, Abiola remains a powerful name that carries with it the echoes of strength, prosperity, and defiance in the face of adversity. It serves as an inspiration to many Nigerians and those who appreciate unique names with deep cultural roots.
The name Abiola has seen a varied pattern of usage over the years in the United States. From 1977 to 2023, there have been a total of 183 babies born with this name.
The year with the highest number of births was 2018, with a notable 13 newborns sharing the name Abiola. This is a significant increase from previous years and suggests that there may have been a particular appeal for the name during this period.
However, the usage of the name has not been consistently high throughout these years. For instance, in some years such as 2008, 2010, and 2016, there were only 5 births each year with the name Abiola.
It is interesting to observe that the number of births with the name Abiola seems to fluctuate over time. While it peaked in recent years like 2014 (with 10 births) and 2018 (with 13 births), there were also periods where its usage was significantly lower.
Despite these fluctuations, the total number of babies named Abiola over this span is quite substantial, indicating that the name has maintained a steady presence in the United States. It will be interesting to see how the popularity of this name continues to evolve in the coming years.