Viola Name Meaning & Origin
Viola
Origin of the name Viola:
Derived from the Latin viola (a violet). The name has been in use since the Middle Ages but did not become common until the middle of the 19th century when the use of flower names came into vogue.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.
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US Popularity of Viola Over Time

Sister & Brother Names
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Name Lists Featuring Viola
- Italian Girls Names: Most Popular Names for Girls in Italy
- Swiss Girls Names: Most Popular Names for Girls in Switzerland (Italian)
- Italian Girls Names: Most Popular Names for Girls in Italy, 2010
- Swiss Girls Names: Most Popular Names for Girls in Switzerland (Italian), 2010
- Italian Girls Names: Most Popular Names for Girls in Italy 2011
Contribute your knowledge to the name Viola
- Comments and insights on the name Viola
I've heard this name pronounced VIE-uh-la. I believe this is the Shakespearean way to pronounce it, and my favorite way!
Viola has the same letters as the name Oliva.
- Personal experiences with the name Viola
Viola is my first name. ;) I think it's lovely. Very classic and feminine. I was named after my great grandma, Viola.
My (Italian) great-grandmother was Viola. She was a vivacious blonde who was very colorful. We called her 'Granny-Vi." She was a memorable woman to say the least. She was probably born around 1910.
I absolutely love the name Viola, and I want to name my daughter Viola Juliette.
- Nicknames for Viola
Vi
Ivy
Lola- Meanings and history of the name Viola
Viola is a genus of flowering plants in the violet family. It is pronounced viy-OH-lə.
Viola is a Shakespearean name, using for the main character in his play Twelfth Night, written around 1601 (pronounced VIY-ə-lə in the play).
A viola is the name of a bowed string instrument, pronounced vee-OH-lə. It is slightly larger than a violin in size and has a deeper sound.
- Famous real-life people named Viola
Viola Davis - American actress
Viola Liuzzo American civil rights activist
Viola Farber - American choreographer and dancer
Viola Allen - American silent film actress
Viola Dana - American silent film actress- Viola in song, story & screen
Viola, a character in "Twelfth Night", a comedy by William Shakespeare.
Viola de Lesseps, character played by Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie "Shakespeare in Love."
Viola, character in "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness
Viola Lucy, a character in the book series "The Chalet School"