What does Isla mean?
From the Scottish island and river Islay; taken as “island.”
What does Skye mean?
Skye takes its name from the Isle of Skye, and echoes the English word “sky.”
Isla vs Skye
Which is more popular?
Isla is more popular than Skye today: about 6,012 US babies were given the name Isla in 2025, compared with 569 named Skye.
| Isla | Skye | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Island | Isle of Skye; sky |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | EYE-luh | SKY |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1886 | 1952 |
| Peak year | 2025 (6,012) | 2014 (887) |
| In 2025 | 6,012 | 569 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Isla
Skye
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Isla | Skye |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 32,186 | 4,061 |
| 2010s | 22,864 | 7,453 |
| 2000s | 1,925 | 6,708 |
| 1990s | 144 | 3,852 |
| 1980s | 55 | 1,440 |
| 1970s | 26 | 635 |
| 1960s | 20 | 56 |
| 1950s | 33 | 57 |
| 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 Skye more popular?
Isla is more popular than Skye today: about 6,012 US babies were given the name Isla in 2025, compared with 569 named Skye.
What is the difference between Isla and Skye?
Isla means Island (Scottish origin), while Skye means Isle of Skye; sky (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Isla or Skye?
In US records, Isla first appears in 1886 and Skye in 1952, so Isla has the longer recorded history.