"violet flower"
Yolanda
Pronunciation: [ y-ohl-AHND-uh ]
A bold vintage name rooted in the violet flower — stately and warm
Meaning & Origin
"modest, virtuous"
The Story of Yolanda
Yolanda is derived from the medieval French name Yolande, which itself came from the Latin Violante — a form of Viola, meaning violet. The violet flower had strong associations with modesty and virtue in medieval Europe, making violet-names popular among noble families. Yolanda was introduced to medieval Spain and Italy through French dynastic connections and became a standard name in Romance-language cultures.
Yolanda peaked in the US in the 1960s and 1970s, partly through popularity in African-American and Latinx communities. Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., gave the name civil rights associations. The name has declined but retains a strong, dignified vintage quality that is beginning to attract renewed interest.
In Latin American communities, Yolanda has long been a popular, respected name. In the civil rights movement, Yolanda King (daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.) gave the name historical significance. The name also appears in the Bizet opera as Yolanda.
Fun Facts
- Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., was an actress and activist who helped carry on her fatherapos civil rights legacy
- The name Yolanda appears in Gioachino Rossini opera tradition and other classical works
- Yolanda Adams is a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer who popularized the name in African-American culture
Yolanda in Other Languages
Famous People Named Yolanda
Yolanda Hadid
Entertainer
1964
Dutch-American model and television personality, mother of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid
Yolanda Adams
Musician
1961
Grammy Award-winning American gospel singer known as the First Lady of Contemporary Gospel
Yolanda King
Activist
1955
Eldest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, actress and civil rights activist
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,586
- Total SSA Count
- 68
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish American Italian French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Yolanda is also used as a boy name, ranked #9683.
View Yolanda as a boy name →Playground Safety
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yolanda
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About the Name Yolanda
Yolanda is a girl name with Spanish, American, Italian, and French origins . The name means "violet flower" in Greek .
Is Yolanda a boy or girl name? Yolanda is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,586 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #9,683. Yolanda is more commonly used as a girl name.
Yolanda is currently ranked #2,586 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Yolanda has 4 syllables and is pronounced y-ohl-AHND-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Yolanda include Yoli, Landa, and Yo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.