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The short answer
Lola is a feminine name that Behind the Name documents as a Spanish diminutive of Dolores. It is used independently in Spanish, English and French. A well-known historical bearer was Lola Montez (1821-1861, born Eliza Gilbert), an Irish-born dancer, actress and courtesan. Lola is pronounced LOH-lə. In the United States it ranked #275 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Lola as a "Spanish diminutive of Dolores". Dolores itself is not in the cached Behind the Name data, so its own meaning (commonly cited elsewhere as related to "sorrows") is not verified in this pass. Behind the Name notes Lola Montez, born Eliza Gilbert, an Irish-born dancer, actress and courtesan (1821-1861), as a famous historical bearer of the name.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Lola ranked #275 for girls in the United States in 2025, per Social Security Administration data.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #275 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: None documented.
Variants: Lolicia
Related names: Dolores, Lolita
What the name feels like
Lola has a short, punchy, two-syllable sound that reads as playful and confident, quite different in feel from the more solemn meaning of its parent name Dolores.
Style tags: Spanish, two syllables, vintage-cool
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial judgment, not linguistic fact. The Dolores gloss ("sorrows") is common knowledge but is not confirmed by the cached Behind the Name data, so it is not asserted as fact here.
If you like this name
Names sharing Lola's short, confident sound or its Dolores family origin.
Similar by sound
Similar by origin
- Dolores
- Lolita
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lola mean?
Lola is a Spanish diminutive of Dolores. Dolores itself is not in the sources checked for this profile, so its deeper meaning is not verified here.
Is Lola a popular name?
Lola ranked #275 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Who is a famous Lola?
Behind the Name cites Lola Montez (1821-1861), born Eliza Gilbert, an Irish-born dancer, actress and courtesan, as a notable historical bearer of the name.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Lola — supports etymology, pronunciation, history.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
