Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Isla
GirlScottish· “from the Scottish island Islay”
- Meaning
- from the Scottish island Islay
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- EYE-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #28
- US babies 2025
- 6,012
- Best rank
- #28 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Isla
Isla is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from the Scottish island Islay”.
Isla takes its name from Islay, an island in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, famous for its whisky distilleries, and from the River Isla in Scotland. The ultimate origin of these names is uncertain. In Spanish, isla is also the ordinary word for "island", which gives the name an added seaside charm, though the Scottish usage is the original source of the given name. Note that the s is silent, as in island. Isla is short, gentle and graceful, and it has become popular in Britain, Australia and the United States.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ila.
Popularity over time
Isla first appears in US Social Security records in 1886. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 23 different years, starting in 1886. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #28, and its highest count, 6,012 babies. Use has grown 165% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,776 in 1920, #3,790 in 1950, #3,550 in 2000, #297 in 2010, and #28 in 2025. Of the 58,252 US girls named Isla since records began, 55% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 22,864 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lucy, Lainey, Ellie, Nora, and Valentina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Isla ranked highest in Hawaii, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #1 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | #7 | 33 |
| New Hampshire | #9 | 50 |
| Montana | #10 | 32 |
| Delaware | #11 | 25 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Isla is usually pronounced EYE-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with I and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ila.
Middle names for Isla
A few middle names that flow with Isla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Isla
Similar names
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Lists that include Isla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isla mean?
Isla is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from the Scottish island Islay”.
What is the origin of the name Isla?
Isla has Scottish roots. Isla takes its name from Islay, an island in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, famous for its whisky distilleries, and from the River Isla in Scotland.
Is Isla a popular name?
Yes. Isla ranked #28 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Isla a boy or girl name?
Isla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Isla?
Isla is usually pronounced EYE-luh. 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