Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Iona

Iona

♀ Girl

Pronounced YON-a /ˈjoʊn.æ/Low

Meaning: Origin uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: Iona is an English-language name whose origin is genuinely uncertain.
πŸ’• Browse more names
Origin LowUncertain
MeaningOrigin uncertain
U.S. rank (2025)#2667 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births65 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 12,251

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 191818802025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Iona is a name without a settled origin or meaning in the records here. It is most familiar as a flowing, three-syllable name with a gentle vowel-rich sound. Beyond that, honesty requires leaving its history open rather than inventing one.

With no listed variations, nicknames or bearers, Iona stands largely on its melodic sound alone.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Iona is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Iona β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

β€”

Nicknames

β€”

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Iona Brown (1941-2004)
    British violinist and conductor who directed the Academy of St Martin in the Fields
  • β˜…Iona Opie (1923-2017)
    English folklorist who studied children's nursery rhymes and games with Peter Opie

If you like Iona…

Fionaβ€” shares the same soft -ona ending and lilting rhythm
Monaβ€” another short name closing on the same -ona note
Millianaβ€” a fellow Uncertain choice
Kyahβ€” another Uncertain name
Naraβ€” lands in the same popularity range

Frequently Asked

What does the name Iona mean?

Iona is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Iona?

It's commonly said YON-a /ˈjoʊn.æ/.

Is Iona a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Iona is used as a girl name.

How popular is Iona?

In 2024, Iona ranked #2777 in the U.S. for girls, with 61 births recorded.

πŸ’¬ Ask Nia