Explore the Family Name Ola

The meaning of Ola

1. Basque and Aragonese (of Basque origin): habitational name from either of two places called Ola, in Navarre and in Huesca, Aragon (where Basque was spoken in pre-Roman times), from Basque ola ‘forge, ironworks’ or ‘cabin’. This surname is very rare in Spain. 2. West African (Nigeria): from a short form of a Yoruba personal name with ọlá ‘high estate, nobility, wealth’ as the first element, such as Ọláolú ‘nobility of God’. Some characteristic forenames: Spanish Salvador, Diosdado, Jose, Luis Armando, Manuel, Marcelina, Marina, Paulino, Rosauro.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Ola in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname 'Ola' has significantly increased from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 47,654th and by 2010, it had climbed to the 37,076th position, indicating a rise of 22.2%. The count of individuals carrying the surname also rose from 418 to 602 during this time, marking an impressive growth of 44.02%. The proportion of people with this surname per 100,000 also saw a substantial increase of 33.33% during these years.

20002010Change
Rank#47,654#37,07622.2%
Count41860244.02%
Proportion per 100k0.150.233.33%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ola

Regarding ethnic identity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows that in 2000, the majority of individuals with the surname 'Ola' identified as White (40.67%), followed by Black (26.79%), Hispanic (11.48%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (19.14%). By 2010, there were changes in the distribution of the surname among different ethnicities. The percentage of Black individuals with this surname rose to 33.55%, showing an increase of 25.23%. Similarly, the proportion of Hispanics with the surname 'Ola' grew substantially by 64.98% to 18.94%. However, the percentage of Whites and Asian/Pacific Islanders with this surname decreased to 28.41% (-30.15%) and 17.77% (-7.16%) respectively. The proportions for American Indian and Alaskan Natives and those identifying as two or more races remained unchanged at 0%.

20002010Change
Black26.79%33.55%25.23%
White40.67%28.41%-30.15%
Hispanic11.48%18.94%64.98%
Asian/Pacific Islander19.14%17.77%-7.16%
Two or More Races0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%