Viola
Every Viola since 1880 — 133,427 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Viola
Viola is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,015 in 2025 with 247 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 133,427 American babies have been named Viola. Its peak came in 1918, when 4,342 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Viola stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Viola year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 247 | #1,015 | — | — |
| 2024 | 202 | #1,186 | — | — |
| 2023 | 233 | #1,069 | — | — |
| 2022 | 249 | #1,031 | — | — |
| 2021 | 210 | #1,168 | — | — |
| 2020 | 216 | #1,119 | — | — |
| 2019 | 234 | #1,078 | — | — |
| 2018 | 214 | #1,144 | — | — |
| 2017 | 212 | #1,164 | — | — |
| 2016 | 223 | #1,139 | — | — |
| 2015 | 192 | #1,274 | — | — |
| 2014 | 194 | #1,252 | — | — |
| 2013 | 181 | #1,300 | — | — |
| 2012 | 169 | #1,383 | — | — |
| 2011 | 135 | #1,611 | — | — |
| 2010 | 117 | #1,768 | — | — |
| 2009 | 116 | #1,847 | — | — |
| 2008 | 97 | #2,105 | — | — |
| 2007 | 101 | #2,033 | — | — |
| 2006 | 99 | #2,015 | — | — |
| 2005 | 61 | #2,754 | — | — |
| 2004 | 53 | #2,994 | — | — |
| 2003 | 60 | #2,672 | — | — |
| 2002 | 58 | #2,671 | — | — |
| 2001 | 44 | #3,195 | — | — |
| 2000 | 45 | #3,118 | — | — |
| 1995 | 41 | #2,930 | — | — |
| 1990 | 58 | #2,233 | — | — |
| 1985 | 64 | #1,782 | — | — |
| 1980 | 106 | #1,242 | — | — |
| 1975 | 88 | #1,276 | — | — |
| 1970 | 151 | #883 | — | — |
| 1965 | 250 | #617 | — | — |
| 1960 | 428 | #474 | — | — |
| 1955 | 512 | #387 | — | — |
| 1950 | 624 | #311 | — | — |
| 1945 | 765 | #242 | 6 | #3,318 |
| 1940 | 966 | #190 | 10 | #2,473 |
| 1935 | 1,325 | #152 | — | — |
| 1930 | 2,161 | #116 | 6 | #3,979 |
| 1925 | 3,336 | #84 | 15 | #2,185 |
| 1920 | 4,292 | #59 | 18 | #1,960 |
| 1915 | 3,855 | #59 | 11 | #2,452 |
| 1910 | 2,090 | #48 | 8 | #1,305 |
| 1905 | 1,697 | #44 | 6 | #1,226 |
| 1900 | 1,674 | #49 | 5 | #1,496 |
| 1895 | 1,010 | #63 | — | — |
| 1890 | 697 | #68 | — | — |
| 1885 | 345 | #88 | — | — |
| 1880 | 229 | #94 | — | — |
Famous people named Viola
- Viola Davis Actor · b. 1965
- Viola Desmond Social activist · 1914–1965
- Viola Amherd Politician · b. 1962
- Viola Dana Actor · 1897–1987
- Viola Soccer player · b. 1969
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Viola in 2025?
Viola ranked #1,015 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 247 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Viola?
133,427 babies have been named Viola in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Viola most popular?
Viola peaked in 1918, when 4,342 newborns received the name.
Is Viola a boy or girl name?
Viola is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Viola rising or falling?
Viola is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Viola?
Well-known people named Viola include Viola Davis (actor), Viola Desmond (social activist), Viola Amherd (politician).