Isla Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Isla is of Scottish origin, meaning 'island,' derived from the name of Islay, a beautiful island in Scotland. The name has evolved from Islay in Scottish Gaelic to Isla in modern English. It has gained popularity in recent decades, reflecting a contemporary preference for nature-inspired names. It has no biblical significance. Isla is seen as a stylish and graceful name, associated with notable figures such as Isla Fisher and Isla St. Clair.
The name Isla is most popular in Alaska, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Isla has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, 'Isla' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 18910th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1394th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2098th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5919th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11640th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8234th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 748th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 64th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Isla' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Isla"
Pronunciation
/ˈaɪ.lə/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The name Isla is derived from the name of an island in Scotland called Islay, which is known for its beautiful landscapes and whisky production.
Meaning
Island
Language Evolution
Isla (modern English), Islay (Scottish Gaelic)
Historical Usage
Isla gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a result of its association with nature and beauty.
Variants & Derivatives
Islay, Islena
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Isla is perceived as a trendy and elegant name, often associated with nature and a serene lifestyle.
Famous People
Isla Fisher, an Australian actress and author., Isla St. Clair, a Scottish singer and television presenter.
Explore More Isla Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Isla"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Isla"
"Isla" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 18910th of 23106 | 12 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1394th of 9107 | 561 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2098th of 9204 | 298 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5919th of 12526 | 78 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 11640th of 19264 | 31 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8234th of 27321 | 133 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 748th of 35406 | 5,683 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 64th of 30306 | 45,323 |
Regional Popularity of "Isla" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Isla" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
78.04% 1105th/1416 |
- |
64.84% 1534th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
83.70% 1294th/1546 |
- |
94.05% 2213th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
100.00% 6317th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
13.44% 616th/4582 |
12.35% 638th/5164 |
12.69% 928th/7313 |
8.80% 657th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
1.23% 49th/3984 |
1.38% 62nd/4487 |
1.32% 90th/6822 |
0.92% 58th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Isla"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Isla" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.