Rising since 1989, #2,514 for girls today.
Popularity of Orla since 1880
Babies named Orla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 38 |
| 1890s | 17 | 34 |
| 1900s | 5 | 6 |
| 1910s | 71 | 62 |
| 1920s | 120 | 95 |
| 1930s | 59 | 23 |
| 1940s | 26 | 22 |
| 1950s | 20 | 0 |
| 1960s | 16 | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 56 | 0 |
| 2000s | 179 | 0 |
| 2010s | 273 | 0 |
| 2020s | 357 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Orla has a steady presence in the U.S. since its first recorded use in 1892, with a notable resurgence beginning in the late 1980s. As of 2025, it ranks 2,514th (approximately 1 in 22,961 girls), a rise from earlier decades reflecting growing interest in Irish names. Its peak year was 2024, suggesting continued upward momentum. The name is most popular in New York and Pennsylvania, states with historic Irish-American communities, and appeals to parents seeking a short, melodic name with a regal meaning.
Orla is an anglicized form of the Irish name Órlaith, derived from ór meaning 'gold' and flaith meaning 'princess' or 'sovereign'. It has been used in Ireland for centuries, borne by a daughter of Brian Boru, the 11th-century High King of Ireland.
Where Orla is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Orla” around the world
Where Orla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
23
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orly
Variants: Órlaith, Orlagh
Sibling names for Orla
Names that share Orla's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aoife, Caoimhe, Niamh, Saoirse, Róisín, Dara, Leana, Darra, Fia, Fionna, Morna, Moya, Vola, Chivon, Edana, Elowynn, Enda, Nuala, Eavan, Finola, Adine, Emer, Mirren, Shevawn, Shivonne, Talulla
Brothers: Cian, Fionn, Oisín, Liam, Seán, Ciaran, Donal, Doran, Finnigan, Kaelan, Lachlan, Oren, Brenan, Bron, Curran, Gorman, Keiron, Lochlann, Olvin, Orlan, Padraic, Phelan, Tynan, Aodhan, Bran, Conall, Daire, Gearold, Kealan, Kienan, Niam, Oland, Orbin, Orell, Conal, Ernan, Finbar, Orlander, Oronde, Tarl
