What does Isla mean?
From the Scottish island and river Islay; taken as “island.”
What does Kirsty mean?
Kirsty is a Scottish form of Christine, “follower of Christ.”
Isla vs Kirsty
Which is more popular?
Isla is more popular than Kirsty today: about 6,012 US babies were given the name Isla in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
| Isla | Kirsty | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Island | Follower of Christ |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | EYE-luh | KEER-stee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1886 | 1961 |
| Peak year | 2025 (6,012) | 1991 (99) |
| In 2025 | 6,012 | 0 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Vintage |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Isla
Kirsty
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Isla | Kirsty |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 32,186 | 0 |
| 2010s | 22,864 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,925 | 81 |
| 1990s | 144 | 508 |
| 1980s | 55 | 179 |
| 1970s | 26 | 130 |
| 1960s | 20 | 37 |
| 1950s | 33 | 0 |
| 1940s | 95 | 0 |
| 1930s | 182 | 0 |
| 1920s | 269 | 0 |
| 1910s | 244 | 0 |
| 1900s | 112 | 0 |
| 1890s | 74 | 0 |
| 1880s | 23 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Isla or Kirsty more popular?
Isla is more popular than Kirsty today: about 6,012 US babies were given the name Isla in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
What is the difference between Isla and Kirsty?
Isla means Island (Scottish origin), while Kirsty means Follower of Christ (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Isla or Kirsty?
In US records, Isla first appears in 1886 and Kirsty in 1961, so Isla has the longer recorded history.