Isla

A name drawn from the Scottish island Islay; its older literal meaning is uncertain.

Isla is a Scottish girls’ name derived from Islay, the island off Scotland’s west coast. The island is called Ìle in Gaelic, but the language behind its ancient name is uncertain. The island connection is clearer than a literal translation. In English, Isla has two syllables and a silent s: EYE-luh. Spanish isla means “island”, but is pronounced differently. For a family using both languages, that difference is useful to make explicit when introducing the name. The opening vowel glides into a light ending, giving Isla a gentle, uncluttered feel. Its island association adds a landscape to that small shape; it may appeal to someone who likes a nature connection without a flower or animal name. In Scotland, Isla ranked second among girls’ names registered in 2024, with 264 registrations.

Etymology: Isla is a feminine variant of Islay. Its spelling also matches Spanish isla, “island”, a separate linguistic connection.