The nameOrla

Orla is the anglicised form of the Irish Órfhlaith, "golden princess". It is popular in Ireland and Britain.

Meaning

Orla comes from the Irish ór, "gold", and flaith, "princess, sovereign".

Origin

Irish. Orlaith was the name of a sister of the high king Brian Boru.

History

Orla reached 56th place in England and Wales in 2023. The designer Orla Kiely made the name known in the fashion world.

Famous people named Orla

Popularity of the name Orla

Orla in the United States

2505thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (71 births)
1,415babies named Orla in the United States since 1880
03671 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Orla was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 287 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Orla. Its rise began around 1887, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Orla in the United States were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 57 births a year on average, against 29 in the five years before.

Orla in the United Kingdom

54thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2023peak year (976 births)
15,327babies named Orla in the United Kingdom since 1997
0488976 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Orla was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 6,470 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Orla. Half of all babies named Orla in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 934 births a year on average, against 792 in the five years before.

Orla in Ireland

157thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
1980peak year (361 births)
9,948babies named Orla in Ireland since 1964
0181361 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Sibling names for Orla

Names from the same generation as Orla, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Orla? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Orla with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Orla side by side with the name of your choice.

Orla in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Orla mean?

Orla comes from the Irish ór, "gold", and flaith, "princess, sovereign".

What is the origin of the name Orla?

Irish. Orlaith was the name of a sister of the high king Brian Boru.

Is Orla a girl's or a boy's name?

Orla is a girl's name. In the United States, 80% of the babies named Orla are girls.

How popular is the name Orla?

In 2024, Orla was the 2505th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 71 births.

What are good sibling names for Orla?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Marnie, Roisin, Leonora and Isra for a sister, Oswald, Casimir, Niall and Younes for a brother.

Who are famous people named Orla?

Orla Kiely, designer; Orla Guerin, journalist; Orla Brady, actress.