Declining since 2021, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Islay since 1999
Babies named Islay per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 27 |
| 2010s | 133 |
| 2020s | 212 |
Meaning & origin
Islay is a rare Scottish place name given to girls in the United States since 1999. It peaked in 2022 at rank 5,238 and has since declined, though it remains a unique and evocative choice. The name is strongly associated with the Scottish island of Islay, known for its whisky distilleries and rugged landscapes. In 2025, it had a 1-in-66,969 incidence rate, reflecting its status as a rare but recognized name. Its similarity to the more popular Isla may give it familiar appeal while remaining distinctive. As a modern toponymic, Islay carries the cultural cachet of Scotland without being tied to any single meaning or mythology.
Islay is a place name, taken from the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's name is thought to derive from the Old Norse 'íll', meaning 'bad' or 'unfavorable', or from a Gaelic root meaning 'island'. As a given name, it is a modern coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1999, likely inspired by the Scottish island or the whisky produced there.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Izzy, Layla
Variants: Isla
Sibling names for Islay
Names that share Islay's style, for a brother or sister.
