Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Iona
GirlScottish· “from the Scottish island of Iona”
- Meaning
- from the Scottish island of Iona
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- eye-OH-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,667
- US babies 2025
- 65
- Best rank
- #318 (1918)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Iona
Iona is a Scottish name that means “from the Scottish island of Iona”.
Iona is the name of a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, where Saint Columba founded a monastery in the sixth century that became a center of Celtic Christianity. The origin of the island's name is uncertain; it may come from an Old Irish word for "yew tree" or be a misreading of an earlier form. It is said eye-OH-nuh. Ione and Ionia are related names. Its island setting gives it a quiet, spiritual heritage.
Popularity over time
Iona has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 67 different years. Its best national rank was #318 in 1918, the same year it reached its highest count of 404 babies. In 2025, 65 babies were named Iona, and it ranked #2,667 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #338 in 1920, #1,095 in 1950, #4,812 in 1980, #4,578 in 2000, #3,591 in 2010, and #2,667 in 2025. Of the 12,251 US girls named Iona since records began, 26% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 2,362 babies. Since 2010, 919 more have been named Iona.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Hester, Tessie, Gussie, Iola, and Leota.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Iona ranked highest in New York and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1725 | 7 |
| California | #2912 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Iona over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Iona is usually pronounced eye-OH-nuh, with three syllables. It has four letters, starts with I and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Iona
A few middle names that flow with Iona: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Iona
Similar names
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Lists that include Iona
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Iona mean?
Iona is a Scottish name that means “from the Scottish island of Iona”.
What is the origin of the name Iona?
Iona has Scottish roots. Iona is the name of a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, where Saint Columba founded a monastery in the sixth century that became a center of Celtic Christianity.
Is Iona a popular name?
Not especially. Iona ranked #2,667 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Iona a boy or girl name?
Iona is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Iona over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Iona?
Iona is usually pronounced eye-OH-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings