The nameIsla
Isla is a girl's name taken from a Scottish river and island name. It has been one of the most popular girls' names in England and Wales for more than a decade.
- Girl's name
- Scottish
Meaning
Isla is usually linked to the River Isla in Scotland and to the island of Islay, whose name is pronounced the same way. It is often read as the Spanish word isla, "island", but the name comes from Scotland.
Origin
Scottish, from a Celtic place name of uncertain meaning.
History
Rare before the 1990s, Isla rose quickly in Britain and has been in the top three for girls in England and Wales several times since 2014. It also spread in the United States, entering the top 100 in 2018. The actress Isla Fisher helped make it known.
Famous people named Isla
- Isla Fisher, actress
- Isla Blair, actress
Popularity of the name Isla
Isla in the United States
Isla was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 26,163 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Isla. Its rise began around 2009, and it peaked in 2021. Half of all babies named Isla in the United States were born before 2020, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 5,233 births a year on average, against 3,025 in the five years before.
Isla in the United Kingdom
Isla was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 37,706 births over the decade, 59% of all recorded babies named Isla. Its rise began around 2004, and it peaked in 2014. Half of all babies named Isla in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 2,729 births a year on average, against 3,642 in the five years before.
Isla in Ireland
Sibling names for Isla
Names from the same generation as Isla, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Isla? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Isla with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Isla side by side with the name of your choice.
Isla in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isla mean?
Isla is usually linked to the River Isla in Scotland and to the island of Islay, whose name is pronounced the same way. It is often read as the Spanish word isla, "island", but the name comes from Scotland.
What is the origin of the name Isla?
Scottish, from a Celtic place name of uncertain meaning.
Is Isla a girl's or a boy's name?
Isla is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Isla?
In 2024, Isla was the 35th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 5,367 births.
What are good sibling names for Isla?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Eloise, Willow, Luna and Hazel for a sister, Waylon, Brooks, Milo and Ezra for a brother.
Who are famous people named Isla?
Isla Fisher, actress; Isla Blair, actress.