Nola

[AlexanderS]

For a girl. Yay or nay, and why?

I prefer Nuala but have only heard Nola as a nn for Fionnaula.

Nay, not bad but too lightweight for my liking.

I really like it, I know a 6-7 year old one very well. Its lovely when you say it out loud. She is just Nola - its not shortened.

It was, by the way, #1196 in the baby name charts for England and Wales in 2011 (27 baby girls were called it). Interestingly, Fionnuala was only #3549 (just 6 babies were called that).

What kind of person would you expect a Nola to be e.g. if you saw their name on a job application form?

It could also be short for Enola but I couldn't use that coz every time I hear it I think of the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima (the pilot named it after his mother).

I thought of Enola Gay too, but more the 80s electropop song than the bomb. Nola is a nice name though.

Not too keen on Nola, but I lovelovelove Lola and Nuala :)

Whether it was or not have only heard it as a nn.

It makes me think of granola. Which will be a great name for her when she's a grandmother - so much more original than Nan or Grandma!

Enola Gay here too.

I can't get past NOLA as in New Orleans, LouisianA. But that's not a commonly known abbreviation outside the states I don't think.

andadietcoke Yup, I thought of New Orleans too.
I've got a firnd with a Nuala - I think that's lovely.

*friend

Never heard it before but I think it is lovely!

Lovely. Friend has a Nola. They call her Noli.

There's a film with lots of tennis in it starring Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Scarlett Johansson and her character is called Nola which is where I first heard this name. I think it's lovely; unfortunately DP doesn't.

Match Point by Woody Allen - thats the film

I think it's really lovely! First thought was Nala from the Lion King, which is also a really nice name

Don't like it. Also surprised at how popular Nuala is on Mumsnet. I was just saying on another thread yesterday that here in Ireland that is a very dated, late middle aged type name. It would be in the same league as Eileen, Noreen, Denise or Teresa.

Much prefer Nuala.

And Nala.