UK name, mostly girls
Shola
An African name derived from "Olushola" meaning "one who walks with dignity".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shola is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Shola popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 76 births.
This profile covers 322 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 5% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 320 living people in the UK are called Shola. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shola ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 76 girls were registered as Shola.
- • About 320 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shola as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 99.1% of Shola registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
1998
76 births
Estimated living
320
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Shola
In England and Wales birth records, Shola has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 0.9% of registrations are for boys and 99.1% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Shola registered for boys
- Ranked #4,632 in 2014
- 3 boys registered in 2014
- Peak: 2014 (3 births)
Shola registered for girls
- Ranked #4,843 in 2024
- 4 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 1998 (76 births)
Meaning
What does Shola mean?
The name Shola has its origins in the Yoruba language, spoken by the Yoruba people of West Africa, primarily in Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged as a name during the medieval period, around the 12th to 16th centuries, when the Yoruba kingdoms and city-states were flourishing in the region.
Shola is derived from the Yoruba word "ọlá," which means "wealth" or "honor." It is a gender-neutral name that can be given to both boys and girls, although it is more commonly used for males. The name carries connotations of prosperity, respect, and high standing within the Yoruba culture.
While there are no specific historical references to the name in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been in use among the Yoruba people for centuries. The earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, during the height of the Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful Yoruba kingdoms of that era.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Shola. One of the most famous is Shola Ameobi (born 1981), a former Nigerian professional footballer who played for clubs like Newcastle United and Stoke City in England. Another prominent figure is Shola Akingbola (born 1959), a Nigerian-British businessman and former CEO of the HBOS banking group.
In the realm of literature, Shola Shologu (1884-1971) was a prominent Nigerian writer and educator who played a significant role in the development of Yoruba literature. Shola Aderibigbe (1898-1971) was a Nigerian politician and traditional ruler who served as the Olubadan of Ibadan, one of the most influential chieftaincy titles in Yorubaland.
Additionally, Shola Amoo (born 1995) is a British filmmaker and screenwriter known for her work in independent cinema, including the critically acclaimed film "The Last Tree" (2019).
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Shola throughout history, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and enduring significance within the Yoruba community and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shola over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Shola in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shola, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 76 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shola by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shola was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5370 | 10 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3854 | 51 | 8 |
| 2000s | #1858 | 119 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1422 | 142 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Shola
-
Shola Shoretire
association football player
English association football player
2004-
-
Shola Ameobi
association football player
Nigerian footballer (born 1981)
1981-
-
Shola Ama
singer; songwriter
English R&B singer
1979-
-
Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
solicitor; activist
British attorney, solicitor, author and activist
Related
Names similar to Shola
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Shola: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shola in the UK right now?
In 2024, Shola was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Shola most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 76 babies registered as Shola in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shola?
An African name derived from "Olushola" meaning "one who walks with dignity".
How many people are called Shola in the UK?
A total of 322 babies have been registered as Shola across the 25 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.