Isla
Isla is a girls' name of Scottish origin meaning “island.” It ranked #28 in the United States in 2025. Isla is a Scottish name derived from 'Islay,' a Hebridean island famous for its whisky distilleries.
Torn between Isla and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Isla?
EYE-lah
where does the name Isla come from?
From the River Isla in Scotland, and from Islay, the Hebridean island whose name is pronounced the same way. The connection to the Spanish isla, meaning island, is coincidental — the Scottish name is Gaelic in origin and considerably older than any Spanish influence.
The name also comes from the River Isla in Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. Actress Isla Fisher helped propel the name to international stardom. It is now one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world.
how popular is this name?
Isla has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 23 years since 1886, and fell outside it for 117. It peaked at #28 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #28 |
| 2024 | #35 |
| 2023 | #33 |
| 2022 | #36 |
| 2021 | #33 |
| 2020 | #44 |
| 2019 | #57 |
| 2018 | #82 |
| 2017 | #103 |
| 2016 | #127 |
| 2010 | #297 |
| 1890 | #872 |
| 1886 | #897 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Isla fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Isla
Isla was a quiet Scottish regional name for most of its history, barely registering elsewhere in Britain. Its rise since 2000 has been steep and somewhat unexplained, though the actress Isla Fisher gave it visibility; it reached the top five in Scotland and England within a decade and has since spread across the English-speaking world.
what are the nicknames and variants of Isla?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Isla?
- Isla Fisher (Australian actress)
- Isla (one of the most popular names in the UK, US, and Australia)
what names are similar to Isla?
what names go well with Isla?
Sibling names that share Isla's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Isla
What does the name Isla mean?
Isla means “island”.
What is the origin of the name Isla?
Isla comes from the Scottish naming tradition. Related forms include Islay, Ila and Isle.
How popular is the name Isla?
Isla ranked #28 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #28, and it has spent 23 years in the top 1,000 since 1886.
Is Isla a boy or girl name?
Isla is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Isla?
Isla is pronounced EYE-lah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Isla? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session