Fun Facts About the Name Nuala
- 363 babies named Nuala: U.S. records list 363 babies given the name Nuala from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Nuala Mean?
Nuala is an Irish name and a shortened form of Fionnuala. The older name is generally explained as a compound of fionn, "fair" or "white," and guala, "shoulder," giving the established meaning "fair-shouldered." Nuala carries that meaning through its relationship to Fionnuala rather than from a separate root.
Nuala Name History & Origins
Fionnuala is the name of the eldest daughter of Lir in the Irish tale of the Children of Lir. In the story, she and her brothers are turned into swans by their stepmother and wander for centuries. This is a traditional literary account, not a record of the name's earliest use.
Nuala developed as a reduced, familiar form of Fionnuala. It is used as an independent Irish given name, not only as a nickname, and the legendary figure associated with the longer form is Fionnuala rather than Nuala.
How Popular is the Name Nuala?
Nuala has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2009. Its best rank was #4,737 in 1965.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #12,837 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #7,479 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2023 | #10,924 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 2021 | #9,383 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2020 | #16,874 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #17,330 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #10,361 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2017 | #9,778 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2016 | #9,915 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #11,600 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2014 | #8,834 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2013 | #8,458 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2012 | #6,516 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2011 | #8,097 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2010 | #11,039 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2009 | #5,501 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 2008 | #11,383 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2007 | #8,003 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2006 | #19,267 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #11,572 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2004 | #9,132 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2003 | #13,454 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #11,903 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #14,841 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #16,168 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1973 | #9,349 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1971 | #9,213 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #5,303 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1969 | #5,821 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1968 | #5,499 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1967 | #6,569 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1966 | #5,657 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1965 | #4,737 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1964 | #5,849 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1963 | #6,389 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1961 | #5,686 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #6,469 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1950 | #5,891 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1948 | #5,099 | 6 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Nuala Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a vivid imagination who can bring inspired messages to the world. You like to enjoy the pleasures of life, and when self is overcome, you can rise to the heights. You have an ability to avoid trouble - that is why you often fails to learn from experiences. You are restless, sociable people-oriented, a lover of change, and a seeker of adventure and new thrills. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Nuala's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Nuala's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.