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girl name · Irish origin

Nuala

/ NOO-uh-luh /
Girl Irish 2 syllables
Meaning
Nuala means Fair shoulder (Irish).
Gender
Girl
Origin
Irish
Pronunciation
NOO-uh-luh
Popularity
#12837 · U.S. girls (2025)
Popularity of Nuala in the US, 1880–2025
1960198020002020

Nuala first appears in US records in 1948. It peaked in 2009, when 26 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 7.

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Is Nuala popular?

Declining Nuala is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2009 peak.

US babies given the name Nuala, by decade
2020s 47
2010s 118
2000s 99
1990s 5
1970s 20
1960s 58
1950s 10
1940s 6

Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.

What does Nuala mean?

Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala, “fair-shouldered.”

Names like Nuala

Irish names with a similar feel and popularity.

See all names like Nuala →

Names that pair well with Nuala

Popular Irish names for a sibling or a middle name.

Compare Nuala

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nuala mean?

Nuala means Fair shoulder. Nuala is a short form of Fionnuala, “fair-shouldered.”

What is the origin of the name Nuala?

Nuala is of Irish origin.

How do you pronounce Nuala?

Nuala is pronounced “NOO-uh-luh.”

Is Nuala a boy or a girl name?

Nuala is most commonly used as a girl name.

Is Nuala a popular name right now?

Nuala is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2009 peak.

How popular is the name Nuala?

In 2025, Nuala ranked #12837 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.

When was the name Nuala most popular?

Nuala was most popular in 2009, when about 26 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.

What names are similar to Nuala?

Names similar to Nuala include Caoimhe, Clodagh, Aoibhinn, Blathnaid, Róisín.

What names go well with Nuala?

Irish names that pair well with Nuala include Ryan, Liam, Aiden, Sean, Aidan.