If you like Isla . . .

  1. Sia
    • Origin:

      Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "Victory"
    • Description:

      Mia, Gia, and now Sia!
  2. Isle
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "small island"
    • Description:

      Isla is a contemporary gem, so why not Isle? As an English word name, it takes you straight to the literal definition — a small island — which could have an appealing, aspirational ring to it, for those wanting to raise independent children.
  3. Tyler
    • Origin:

      Occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "maker of tiles"
    • Description:

      This once-trendy name has been fading for both boys and girls. A Top 10 name from 1992 to 2000, it is now at Number 38 and falling. It was the surname of the tenth U.S. president.
  4. Iyla
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "moonlight"
    • Description:

      Iyla, now a Top 1000 girls' name in the US, resembles many other popular names, from the Top 100 Isla to the Turkish Ayla, with which it shares a moonlit meaning.
  5. Kyla
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Kyle, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "narrow spit of land"
    • Description:

      Kyle is stronger and sharper, though many parents will prefer the more distinctly feminine Kyla for their daughters. Kyla may owe much of its popularity to trendy cousin Kayla.
  6. Ilia
    • Origin:

      Variation of Iliana or Julia, Greek, Basque, Bulgarian "from Illium or Troy; youthful or sky father; Yahweh is God"
    • Meaning:

      "from Illium or Troy; youthful or sky father; Yahweh is God"
    • Description:

      Three syllables in only four letters is quite a feat, but that's exactly what you get with Ilia, a versatile, unisex option with various origins. It could derive from the Greek Iliana, which could denote someone from Illium, or it could be a feminine form of Ilian, a form of Elijah. Alternatively, it is a Basque form of Julia, or a Bulgarian feminine form of Ilya, with again links back to Elijah. Currently a gender neutral option in the US, it may be exclusively masculine elsewhere.
  7. Dia
    • Origin:

      Mbama, Sanskrit, Latin, and Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "love; lamp; heavenly; day"
    • Description:

      A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins.
  8. Jaya
    • Origin:

      Hindi-Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      This name of a Buddhist goddess, a possible alternative to the trendy Maya, was chosen for their daughter by Laura Dern and Ben Harper. Jaya is simple yet unusual, a winning combination, and one of the out-of-the-box goddess names as well as one of the most easily translated Hindi names for girls.
  9. Iola
    • Origin:

      Greek or Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "violet; beautiful lady"
    • Description:

      Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
  10. Xyla
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wood-dweller; the cross"
    • Description:

      X is undoubtedly one of the coolest initials to have, and more parents are agreeing — Xyla entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022. Xyla comes from the Greek xylon, meaning "wood" — the same root that makes up the word xylophone (literally meaning "wood sound"). The subtle musical connection in this name may be an additional appeal, though many parents may just be using it as a twist on Tyla, Zyla, Kyla, and Myla.
  11. Aodhla
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fire"
    • Description:

      A modern Irish creation, created by blending the masculine Aodh with the feminine suffix -la/em>. It likely drew inspiration from the both popularity of Aiden (also derived from Aodh) and from on-trend girl names like Ayla, Isla, Lola, and Layla.
  12. Brisa
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "breeze"
    • Description:

      Brisa is commonly used in Latino families, all but unheard of in others.
  13. Ailish
    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      This Anglicized spelling makes the pronunciation of Ailís or Aileas — the Irish and Scottish forms of Alice, respectively — slightly more obvious to English-speakers. Ailis or Aileas are more authentic spellings, but may be fighting a losing battle against the influence of Billie Eilish.
  14. Isley
    • Origin:

      English variation of Eisele, German
    • Meaning:

      "iron"
    • Description:

      A surnamier take on Isla. Isley may be derived from the German occupational surname Eisele (of the same pronunciation), or be related to the Old English word hesli, meaning "hazel grove." The Eisley spelling is about twice as popular, but both versions together are given to about 200 baby girls in the US each year.
  15. Elula
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, female form of Elul, month name
    • Description:

      Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice under wraps for several months, perhaps to get a head start on the hordes of fans who might adopt the fashionable-yet-unusual double-l name for their own. Reminiscent of (though not actually related to) Eulala, the stylish pick of Marcia Gay Harden for her daughter. Lula, Lulu, or Lu could be short forms.
  16. Alula
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "first leap"
    • Description:

      Alula, the palindromic name of the first double star to be identified as physically related to its twin, would make the perfect name for a first-born twin. Ideas (we're only half joking) for the second born: Aviva, Aziza, Otto. Alula is reminiscent of the unusual name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter: Elula, a month name from the Hebrew calendar.
  17. Eisley
    • Origin:

      German surname
    • Meaning:

      "iron"
    • Description:

      Eisley and sister Isley are drawn from the German surname Eisele, which means iron and was often used as a nickname for a blacksmith. More than 100 baby girls were named Eisley in the US last year, and about two-thirds that number called Isley.
  18. Lyle
    • Origin:

      Scottish and English from French
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives on an island"
    • Description:

      Though it's used far more often for boys, Lyle has a lot in common with today's trending girl names that share the double L sound: Lila, Layla, and Lola.
  19. Ilka
    • Origin:

      Hungarian, diminutive of Ilona; variation of Helen
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"
    • Description:

      To some, may have the same warm feeling of Russian nicknames like Sasha and Misha.
  20. Alsie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alcina, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong-willed"
    • Description:

      Alsie and Alcie feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again. Mother name Alcina was an operatic sorceress who turned men into animals and trees.