Isla

♀ Girl

Pronounced EYE-luh /ˈaɪ.lə/High

Meaning: Island; from the Scottish river and island nameHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Scottish Gaelic for 'island,' Isla takes its name from the Isle of Islay and the River Isla in Scotland. Effortlessly elegant, it has rocketed into the global top 20.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighScottish Gaelic

MeaningIsland; from the Scottish river and island name

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 18,582

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Isla comes from the Scottish Gaelic name, derived from the Isle of Islay (Gaelic Ìle) in the Inner Hebrides or the River Isla in Perthshire. Both place names ultimately reflect the Celtic root for 'swirling' or 'island.' It has been used as a Scottish given name for centuries.

Isla was a largely Scottish name until actress Isla Fisher brought it to international attention from the early 2000s. It entered the U.S. top 100 around 2012 and has climbed rapidly, entering the top 20 by the 2020s. It is now a top-5 name in Australia and Scotland.

Did you know? Despite being spelled like the Spanish/Italian word for island (isla), the Scottish name Isla is pronounced EYE-luh — a common source of confusion outside British and Australian English-speaking circles.

Variations

IlaAyla

Nicknames

Isie

Famous Bearers

★Isla Fisher (1976–)
Australian actress known for Wedding Crashers and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

If you like Isla…

Luna— shares the soft, ethereal two-syllable ease

Mia— equally brief and international

Aurora— shares the romantic, nature-linked quality

Nora— similarly brief, warm classic

Aria— equally lyrical and globally popular

Frequently Asked

What does the name Isla mean?

Isla is a Scottish Gaelic name derived from place names in Scotland — the Isle of Islay and the River Isla — meaning 'island' or relating to a Celtic root for 'swirling water.'

How do you pronounce Isla?

Despite looking like the Spanish word for island, the Scottish name Isla is pronounced EYE-luh /ˈaɪ.lə/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Isla a boy or girl name?

Isla is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Isla?

Isla entered the U.S. top 20 girls' names by the early 2020s after a rapid international rise, and is currently a top-5 name in both Australia and Scotland.