"violet flower"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Viola
Pronunciation: [ v-eye-OHL-uh ]
Does Viola flow with your last name?
Shakespeare's boldest heroine, now making a quiet comeback
Italian
English
Scandinavian
German
Classic
Literary
Elegant
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Viola
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Viola
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"purple blossom"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Viola
See all →What the Viola report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Viola the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Viola
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Viola head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Viola actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Viola
Viola comes directly from the Latin word for the violet flower, which itself traces to Proto-Indo-European roots. It has been used as a given name since at least the Renaissance. Shakespeare made the name immortal in his comedy Twelfth Night (c. 1601), where Viola is a shipwrecked noblewoman who disguises herself as a boy — one of his most resourceful and beloved heroines. The name also shares its form with the viola, the orchestral string instrument that sits between violin and cello.
Viola is experiencing a notable revival in the 2020s, driven partly by the acclaimed career of Viola Davis — the first Black woman to win acting's Triple Crown. It fits squarely into the Victorian revival trend alongside Violet, Clara, and Ada.
In Italy, Viola has never gone out of fashion and remains a common and beloved name. In Scandinavian countries, it has been a steady classic for over a century. In English-speaking countries, the Shakespearean connection gives it literary prestige that few names can match.
Historical Record
Viola first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 14,137 babies have been named Viola in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Viola is past its peak , currently ranked #1,189 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Viola Davis became the first Black actress to win Emmy, Oscar, and Tony awards for acting
- Shakespeare's Viola in Twelfth Night cross-dresses as 'Cesario' — one of literature's first gender-bending protagonists
- The viola instrument takes its name from the same Latin root, making Viola an unusually musical name
Viola in Other Languages
French
Violette
German
Viola
Italian
Viola
Spanish
Violeta
Japanese
ヴィオラ
Popularity Over Time
#1,189
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Viola
V
Viola Beach
Musician
2013
British indie rock band whose posthumous album reached #1 after the tragic deaths of all members in 2016
V
Viola Davis
Actor
1965
Award-winning American actress, first Black woman to achieve acting's Triple Crown (Emmy, Oscar, Tony)
V
Viola Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (c. 1601), a resourceful noblewoman who disguises herself as a man to survive
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Claudia
Girl
"of the Claudian clan"
#1,091
Lauryn
Girl
"from the city of Laurentum"
#1,111
Britney
Girl
"from Brittany, land of Britons"
#1,335
Giulia
Girl
"of the gens Julia, sky-father"
#1,263
Karen
Girl
"clear, unsullied"
#1,261
Compare Viola with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,189
- Total SSA Count
- 199
- Cultural Origins
- Italian English Scandinavian German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Vi
Vivi
Ola
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Viola
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Viola fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Viola is also used as a boy name, ranked #19857.
View Viola as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Viola →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Viola with...
Same Origin Names (Italian)
See all Italian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Viola
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Viola and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Viola sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Claudia
Girl
Roman family name origin
"of the Claudian clan"
#1,091 in US
Lauryn
Girl
Latin origin
"from the city of Laurentum"
#1,111 in US
Britney
Girl
French/Latin origin
"from Brittany, land of Britons"
#1,335 in US
Giulia
Girl
Latin origin
"of the gens Julia, sky-father"
#1,263 in US
Karen
Girl
Greek origin
"clear, unsullied"
#1,261 in US
Layne
Girl
Old English origin
"dweller by the lane"
#1,275 in US
Dania
Girl
Arabic origin
"near, close"
#1,100 in US
Alyson
Girl
Germanic via Old French origin
"of noble kind, noble natured"
#1,236 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Viola's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viola
What does the name Viola mean?
"violet flower" (from Latin). "purple blossom" (from Latin). Viola comes directly from the Latin word for the violet flower, which itself traces to Proto-Indo-European roots. It has been used as a given name since at least the Renaissance. Shakespeare made the name immortal in his comedy Twelfth Night (c. 1601), where Viola is a shipwrecked noblewoman who disguises herself as a boy — one of his most resourceful and beloved heroines. The name also shares its form with the viola, the orchestral string instrument that sits between violin and cello.
What is the origin of the name Viola?
Viola has Latin, Italian, English, Scandinavian, and German origins. In Latin, it means "violet flower". In Latin, it means "purple blossom".
Is Viola a boy or girl name?
Viola is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1189. As a boy name, it is ranked #19857. Viola is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Viola?
Viola is pronounced v-eye-OHL-uh.
How popular is the name Viola?
Viola is currently ranked #1189 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Viola?
Common nicknames for Viola include Vivi and Ola.
What are good middle names for Viola?
Popular middle name pairings include Viola Rose, Viola Jane, Viola Grace, Viola Marie, Viola Claire, and Viola Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Viola?
Names that pair well with Viola as siblings include Hugo, Cora, Edmund, Clara, Leopold, and Beatrice.
How many syllables does Viola have?
Viola has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Viola a common or rare name?
Viola is an uncommon name, ranked #1189 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Viola?
About the Name Viola
Viola is a girl name with Italian, English, Scandinavian, and German origins . The name means "violet flower" in Latin .
Is Viola a boy or girl name? Viola is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,189 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,857. Viola is more commonly used as a girl name.
Viola is currently ranked #1,189 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Viola has 3 syllables and is pronounced v-eye-OHL-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Viola include Vi, Vivi, and Ola. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Viola include Violet, Violeta, Violette, Violetta, Violett . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
V
Names Starting with V
More girl names like Viola
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis