Enola
A girl's name of English origin with 3,040 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Enola is a girl's baby name of English origin with uncertain roots — possibly a reverse spelling of 'alone,' or derived from a Native American language. It gained cultural momentum through the Netflix series Enola Holmes, where it belongs to Sherlock Holmes' resourceful younger sister.
That detective-fiction association gives Enola a clever, independent spirit that resonates with parents who love strong female characters.
EtymologyShow more
Enola first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1885. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its English classification suggests a path from english linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Enola climbed 5517 spots in the last 20 years — from #8406 to #2889.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 291 | #3435 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 119 | #10058 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 141 | #8472 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 29 | #11375 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 15 | #8198 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 62 | #8269 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 152 | #3792 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 359 | #2165 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 209 | #2025 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 303 | #1373 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 561 | #1015 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 470 | #878 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 176 | #895 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 125 | #948 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 28 | #970 | — |
The Story of Enola
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1953, Enola is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Enola are most likely born between 1943 and 1963.
How rare is Enola?
Only about 1 in every 63,158 babies born in 2024 was named Enola — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1885, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 561 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Enola by the numbers
- Would fill 63 school buses
- Meeting one Enola per day would take 8.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(125 years, 1885–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 57 | #2889 |
| 2023 | 70 | #2524 |
| 2022 | 57 | #2934 |
| 2021 | 90 | #2106 |
| 2020 | 17 | #6721 |
| 2019 | 8 | #11685 |
| 2018 | 14 | #7889 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7197 |
| 2016 | 14 | #8129 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10358 |
| 2014 | 15 | #7798 |
| 2013 | 19 | #6550 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17685 |
| 2011 | 10 | #10629 |
| 2010 | 8 | #12663 |
| 2009 | 20 | #6645 |
| 2008 | 21 | #6411 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8218 |
| 2006 | 16 | #7599 |
| 2005 | 13 | #8489 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Enola a boy's or girl's name?
When was Enola most popular?
How popular is the name Enola?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1885–2024