What does Isla mean?
From the Scottish island and river Islay; taken as “island.”
What does Fiona mean?
From the Gaelic fionn, “fair” or “white,” coined by the poet James Macpherson.
Isla vs Fiona
Which is more popular?
Isla is more popular than Fiona today: about 6,012 US babies were given the name Isla in 2025, compared with 654 named Fiona.
| Isla | Fiona | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Island | Fair, white |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | EYE-luh | fee-OH-nuh |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1886 | 1942 |
| Peak year | 2025 (6,012) | 2017 (1,683) |
| In 2025 | 6,012 | 654 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Isla
Fiona
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Isla | Fiona |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 32,186 | 5,251 |
| 2010s | 22,864 | 14,669 |
| 2000s | 1,925 | 8,778 |
| 1990s | 144 | 3,133 |
| 1980s | 55 | 955 |
| 1970s | 26 | 597 |
| 1960s | 20 | 438 |
| 1950s | 33 | 91 |
| 1940s | 95 | 47 |
| 1930s | 182 | 0 |
| 1920s | 269 | 0 |
| 1910s | 244 | 0 |
| 1900s | 112 | 0 |
| 1890s | 74 | 0 |
| 1880s | 23 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Isla or Fiona more popular?
Isla is more popular than Fiona today: about 6,012 US babies were given the name Isla in 2025, compared with 654 named Fiona.
What is the difference between Isla and Fiona?
Isla means Island (Scottish origin), while Fiona means Fair, white (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Isla or Fiona?
In US records, Isla first appears in 1886 and Fiona in 1942, so Isla has the longer recorded history.