"golden princess, golden sovereign"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: English
Orla
Pronunciation: [ AWRL-uh ]
Does Orla flow with your last name?
An ancient Irish name meaning golden princess — timeless and regal
Irish
Scottish
English
Earthy
Vintage
Elegant
Classic
Gentle
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Meaning & Origin
"golden ruler"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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The Story of Orla
Orla is the anglicized form of the Old Irish name Órlaith (or Órlaíth), meaning 'golden princess' or 'golden sovereign,' from the Irish 'ór' (gold) and 'flaith' (princess, ruler, sovereign). The name was borne by several notable women in medieval Irish history, including sisters of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
Orla has been a consistently well-loved name in Ireland and Scotland throughout the centuries. It has seen significant growth in England and the broader English-speaking world since the 2010s, driven by the fashion for Irish Gaelic names and the name's melodic simplicity.
Órlaith was the name of at least two sisters of the legendary High King Brian Boru. The name connects to Ireland's golden age of medieval kingship and has been a touchstone of Gaelic feminine naming for over a thousand years. It is the Gaelic equivalent of 'golden one.'
Historical Record
Orla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 831 babies have been named Orla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Orla is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,516 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Orla was a sister of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014
- Orla Kiely, the Irish fashion designer known for her iconic leaf print, has brought the name modern style credentials
Orla in Other Languages
Irish
Órlaith
Welsh
Eurwen (golden equivalent)
Scottish Gaelic
Órlaith
Popularity Over Time
#2,516
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Orla
O
Orla Gartland
Musician
1997
Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist who has built a devoted international fanbase
O
Orla Kiely
Artist
1963
Irish fashion designer known worldwide for her iconic retro leaf print patterns
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,516
- Total SSA Count
- 71
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Orla
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Orla is also used as a boy name, ranked #19727.
View Orla as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Orla
What does the name Orla mean?
"golden princess, golden sovereign" (from Old Irish). "golden ruler" (from Irish Gaelic). Orla is the anglicized form of the Old Irish name Órlaith (or Órlaíth), meaning 'golden princess' or 'golden sovereign,' from the Irish 'ór' (gold) and 'flaith' (princess, ruler, sovereign). The name was borne by several notable women in medieval Irish history, including sisters of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
What is the origin of the name Orla?
Orla has Old Irish, Irish Gaelic, Irish, Scottish, and English origins. In Old Irish, it means "golden princess, golden sovereign". In Irish Gaelic, it means "golden ruler".
Is Orla a boy or girl name?
Orla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2516. As a boy name, it is ranked #19727. Orla is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Orla?
Orla is pronounced AWRL-uh.
How popular is the name Orla?
Orla is currently ranked #2516 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Orla?
Popular middle name pairings include Orla Grace, Orla Rose, Orla Maeve, Orla Fionnuala, Orla Claire, Orla Jean, and Orla Anne.
What are good sibling names for Orla?
Names that pair well with Orla as siblings include Finn, Cian, Niamh, Aoife, Oisín, Saoirse, and Declan.
How many syllables does Orla have?
Orla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Orla a common or rare name?
Orla is an uncommon name, ranked #2516 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Orla?
Are there other spellings for Orla?
Related spellings include Orli.
About the Name Orla
Orla is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, and English origins . The name means "golden princess, golden sovereign" in Old Irish .
Is Orla a boy or girl name? Orla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,516 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,727. Orla is more commonly used as a girl name.
Orla is currently ranked #2,516 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Orla has 2 syllables and is pronounced AWRL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Orla include Orli . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis