Zola (/ˈzoʊlə/,[1] French pronunciation: [zɔ.la]) is both a surname and a given name.
In Italy, Zola is a common last name.
In South Africa, Zola is a Xhosa language name and means "be calm" or "be quiet."
A common feminine variation for the name is Nokuzola.
The name enjoys widespread popularity in South Africa and is also used in other African nations.