Orla

Pronunciation: [ AWRL-uh ]

Girl Name #2,516 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An ancient Irish name meaning golden princess — timeless and regal

Irish Scottish English

Earthy Vintage Elegant Classic Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"golden princess, golden sovereign"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: English

"golden ruler"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

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.'

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

Famous People Named Orla

Orla Gartland

Musician

1997

Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist who has built a devoted international fanbase

Orla Kiely

Artist

1963

Irish fashion designer known worldwide for her iconic retro leaf print patterns

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

Orli #4796

Pairs Well With

Orla Grace Orla Rose Orla Maeve Orla Fionnuala Orla Claire Orla Jean Orla Anne

Sibling Names

Finn Cian Niamh Aoife Oisín Saoirse Declan

Also a Boy Name

Orla is also used as a boy name, ranked #19727.

View Orla as a boy name →

Similar Names

Cora Laura Dora Flora Augusta Ora Lora Lenora

Playground Safety

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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.

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.