Iona

♂ Boy

Pronounced eye-OH-nuh /aɪˈoʊ.nə/Medium

Meaning: Iona is the name of a small island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, famous for the abbey founded by Saint Columba. As a given name it is used overwhelmingly for girls; boys' use is rare, and we note the lean. Some also connect it to the Greek name Ionas (Jonah).Low

In 30 seconds: Iona is a Scottish island of abbeys and sea light (said 'eye-OH-nuh'). It is usually a girl's name — we note the lean clearly.

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Origin MediumScottish

MeaningIona is the name of a small island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, famous for the abbey founded by Saint Columba. As a given name it is used overwhelmingly for girls; boys' use is rare, and we note the lean. Some also connect it to the Greek name Ionas (Jonah).

U.S. rank (2024)#12974 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 10

History & Origin

Iona is a place first: a windswept island in the Inner Hebrides, home to the abbey of Saint Columba and a cradle of early Scottish Christianity. As a given name it is used chiefly for girls in Scotland and beyond; for boys it is rare, and some link it instead to Ionas, a Greek form of Jonah. Routes and lean both noted (said 'eye-OH-nuh').

For boys in the U.S. it appears only rarely, against much heavier girls' use. Rare, place-rooted, and softly lyrical.

Did you know? The isle of Iona is where Saint Columba founded his abbey and helped carry Christianity across Scotland. The name is far more often a girl's, which we note (said 'eye-OH-nuh').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Iona — Scottish island; Saint Columba; girl-leaning use

Variations

IoneIonasJonah

Nicknames

IoOnie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Iona…

Jonah— the name Iona is sometimes linked to

Callum— a like Scottish name tied to Saint Columba

Lorne— a like Scottish place-name pick

Alister— another Scottish name

Roderick— a fellow Scottish choice

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Iona mean?

Iona is the name of a Scottish island famed for Saint Columba's abbey; it is sometimes linked to Ionas, a Greek form of Jonah.

How do you pronounce Iona?

It's said eye-OH-nuh /aɪˈoʊ.nə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Iona a boy or girl name?

Here Iona is used as a boy's name, but it is far more often a girl's name — we note the lean.

How popular is Iona?

Iona is rare for boys in the U.S. and better known as a girl's name.