Thula
A girl's name of African origin with 164 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A kind of ancient poem in Germanic languages, consisting of metrical lists of poetic synonyms for oral recitation.
Thula is a girl's baby name of Zulu origin, from the Zulu word thula, meaning 'be quiet,' 'hush,' or 'peace' — used in the beloved Zulu lullaby Thula Baba (Hush, baby), one of the most beautiful soothing songs in African music.
As a given name, Thula carries the tender peace of a mother's lullaby — a name that is, in its very essence, a comfort. Short, quiet, and full of the profound gentleness of being hushed to sleep with love.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Thula is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1886–1935). Its African roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 164 total births, Thula exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Thula has 25+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1886.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 23 | #4435 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 52 | #4432 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 45 | #3570 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 28 | #1974 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 11 | #1740 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | #1268 | — |
The Story of Thula
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Thula is a name steeped in history. Girls named Thula are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Thula?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Thula is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1886, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1920s with 52 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Thula by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1886–1935)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 5 | #4832 |
| 1934 | 6 | #4245 |
| 1933 | 5 | #4796 |
| 1932 | 7 | #3868 |
| 1927 | 7 | #4244 |
| 1926 | 5 | #5545 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4910 |
| 1924 | 10 | #3359 |
| 1923 | 7 | #4337 |
| 1922 | 5 | #5709 |
| 1921 | 12 | #2921 |
| 1919 | 6 | #4759 |
| 1918 | 9 | #3489 |
| 1917 | 10 | #3061 |
| 1916 | 8 | #3519 |
| 1915 | 6 | #4216 |
| 1910 | 6 | #2378 |
| 1907 | 6 | #2036 |
| 1905 | 5 | #2207 |
| 1903 | 6 | #1771 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thula a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thula most popular?
How popular is the name Thula?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1886–1935