"famous warrior"
Lula
Pronunciation: [ l-OOL-uh ]
A sweet Southern Victorian revival with universal warmth
Meaning & Origin
"pearl"
The Story of Lula
Lula is a diminutive of Louise (from the Germanic Ludwig/Louis, meaning 'famous warrior') or of the Arabic name Lulua/Lulu meaning 'pearl.' It was used as an independent name particularly in the American South during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Its gentle reduplication (LOO-lah) gives it an immediately warm, affectionate quality.
Lula was a popular name in the American South in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is experiencing a fashionable revival among parents who love vintage, antique names. The current trend toward short, two-syllable names ending in 'a' (like Luna, Nora, Mila) has given Lula a fresh moment in the spotlight.
In Brazil, the name has a different resonance — 'Lula' is the popular nickname of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former and current president of Brazil, making it politically charged in that context. In the English-speaking world, Lula remains a charming, apolitical vintage name.
Fun Facts
- In the 1938 film 'Too Hot to Handle,' the character Lula was played by Myrna Loy, lending the name Golden Age glamour
- Lula is the nickname of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has served as Brazil's president and is one of the most significant figures in modern Latin American politics
Lula in Other Languages
Famous People Named Lula
Lula Vollenweider
Musician
2003
Swiss singer known as 'Lulleaux' who gained attention on social media platforms
Lula Mae Barnes Fictional
Other
The birth name of Holly Golightly in Truman Capote's 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1958)
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,952
- Total SSA Count
- 101
- Cultural Origins
- English Arabic American German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Lula is also used as a boy name, ranked #31411.
View Lula as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lula
What does the name Lula mean?
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Is Lula a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Lula
Lula is a girl name with English, Arabic, American, and German origins . The name means "famous warrior" in Germanic .
Is Lula a boy or girl name? Lula is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,952 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,411. Lula is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lula is currently ranked #1,952 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lula has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-OOL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lula include Lou and Lu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lula include Lulu . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.