Unisex name · Scottish place name
Islay
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: from the island of IslayIslay is a gender-neutral name that is of Scottish place name origin: from the island of Islay. It is used in Scottish.
- Meaning
- From the island of Islay
- Origin
- Scottish place name
- Gender
- Unisex
- Say it
- EYE-la (Scottish Gaelic)
Meaning and origin of Islay
As a gender-neutral name, Islay is of Scottish place name origin: from the island of Islay. It is used in Scottish.
In Scottish Gaelic, say EYE-la. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Islay on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Islay on 3 lists.
“Queen Victoria's beloved Skye terrier, painted by Landseer”
From Girl dog names, famous real girl dogs
“Named for the southern Hebridean isle; used for boys and girls in Scotland, only for girls in the US. Say EYE-la.”
From Scottish boy names, scottish place names for boys
“The Hebridean island's own spelling; used for girls and boys. Say EYE-la.”
From Scottish girl names, scottish place and clan names for girls
How popular is Islay?
- US rank in 2025
- #5,307
- 24 babies, 15 per million girls
- Best rank
- #3,176 in 2021
- 51 babies that year
- Babies since 1999
- At least 378
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 0 per million |
| 1980s | 0 per million |
| 1990s | 0 per million |
| 2000s | 1 per million |
| 2010s | 8 per million |
| 2020s | 22 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #7,031 | #8,022 | #6,113 | #3,957 | #4,208 | #3,176 | #3,187 | #5,632 | #4,513 | #5,307 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Islay
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- IslaFrom the island of Islay (Scottish place name, girl)
Names spelled like Islay
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- IlanTree (Hebrew, boy)
- İlkayNew moon (Turkish, unisex)
- IsaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- IsakHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- IsaoMerit, achievement (depends on characters) (Japanese, boy)
- IscahTo behold (Hebrew, girl)
- IshaRuler, lord (Sanskrit, girl)
- IshaqHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- HolgerIsland spear (Old Norse, boy)
- IonaFrom the island of Iona (Scottish place name, girl)
- LindsayLincoln island (Old English, unisex)
- LyleIsland (Old French, boy)
- EydisIsland or good fortune and goddess (Old Norse, girl)
- EysteinIsland or good fortune and stone (Old Norse, boy)
- ItamarDate palm island (Hebrew, boy)
- IzaroIsland (Basque, girl)
- KelseyCēol's island (Old English, unisex)
- RodneyHroda's island (Old English, boy)
Middle names for Islay
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
- AltonTown at a river's source (Old English, boy)
- BartholomewSon of Talmai (Aramaic, boy)
- BurtonFortified town (Old English, boy)
- GabrielleGod is my strength (Hebrew, girl)
- MagnusThe great (Latin, boy)
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
- WalterRuler of the army (Germanic, boy)
- WilderUntamed (English, boy)
More names from Scottish place name
- AilsaFrom Ailsa Craig (Scottish place name, girl)
- ForbesFrom Forbes in Aberdeenshire (Scottish place name, boy)
- GordonSpacious fort (Scottish place name, boy)
- KelvinFrom the River Kelvin (Scottish place name, boy)
- LennoxFrom the Lennox district (Scottish place name, unisex)
- LesleyFrom a Scottish place name (Scottish place name, girl)
- MurrayFrom Moray (Scottish place name, boy)
- SkyeFrom the Isle of Skye (Scottish place name, girl)
- ArranFrom the Isle of Arran (Scottish place name, boy)
- AtholFrom Atholl (Scottish place name, boy)
Islay: common questions
What does the name Islay mean?
Islay is of Scottish place name origin: from the island of Islay.
Is Islay a boy or girl name?
Islay is used for both boys and girls.
Where does the name Islay come from?
Islay is of Scottish place name origin: from the island of Islay. Today it is used in Scottish.
How do you pronounce Islay?
In Scottish Gaelic, say EYE-la. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Islay?
Islay ranked #5,307 in the US in 2025, with 24 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Islay?
Forms of Islay with the same meaning and origin include Isla (English).
What middle names go with Islay?
Middle names that flow well with Islay include Alton, Bartholomew, Burton, Gabrielle and Magnus. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.