Onolee
A girl's name with 28 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Onolee peaked during early twentieth-century America, when 7 babies received this name in a single year (1925). That era was defined by heritage-rooted naming, and Onolee has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Onolee is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Onolee is a girl's baby name of American origin, a phonetic variant of "Onley" or an elaboration of the name "Ona" combined with the popular "-lee" suffix. The "-lee" ending has long been used in American name-making to soften and feminize, giving names a gentle, countryside warmth.
Rare and quietly distinctive, Onolee evokes the feel of vintage Americana — a name a grandmother in a small Southern town might have carried with grace. Its soft consonants and flowing vowels make it easy on the ear despite its unusual spelling.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Onolee belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their bright, upbeat ending — lending a cheerful, energetic quality. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Sound-alike names often cluster in style even when they come from different linguistic roots. The Similar Names section below uses letter and phonetic patterns to surface names in Onolee’s sonic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Onolee has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 22 | #5259 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 6 | #4691 | — |
The Story of Onolee
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1925, Onolee is a name steeped in history. Girls named Onolee are most likely born between 1918 and 1926.
How rare is Onolee?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Onolee is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, peaked in the 1920s with 22 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 1918–1926)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 5 | #5438 |
| 1925 | 7 | #4332 |
| 1921 | 5 | #5683 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5581 |
| 1918 | 6 | #4691 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Onolee a boy's or girl's name?
When was Onolee most popular?
How popular is the name Onolee?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1926