Orla Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OR-lah //ˈɔːr.lə//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Irish: golden princess; Gaelic: noble
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Orla has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the Gaelic "Orlaith," which translates to "golden princess" or "golden lady." The etymology can be broken down into two components: "or," meaning "gold," and "laith," meaning "princess" or "noble." This name reflects the rich cultural heritage of Ireland, where names often carry significant meanings tied to nature, nobility, and beauty. The transition of Orla into English-speaking contexts likely occurred during the 19th century, as Irish names began to gain recognition outside of Ireland, particularly through the influence of Irish emigration and the diaspora.
Historically, the name Orla has been associated with various figures in Irish folklore and mythology, although specific historical milestones are less documented compared to more prominent names. The use of the name can be traced back to the early medieval period in Ireland, where names often signified lineage and status.
The name's enduring presence in Irish culture is further supported by its inclusion in various literary works and its representation in Irish art and storytelling. While not as widely recognized as some other Irish names, Orla has maintained a consistent presence in Irish tradition.
Culturally, the name Orla resonates with themes of nobility and beauty, often evoking imagery of golden landscapes and the natural beauty of Ireland. It embodies a sense of pride in heritage and identity, which is significant in Irish culture.
The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Orly, which reflect the affectionate and familial ties often associated with names in Irish society. Overall, Orla stands as a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural tapestry of Ireland, symbolizing both heritage and grace.
Famous people named Orla
In this section, you will find notable people named Orla. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Orla who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Orla who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Orla Brady is an actress best known for The O.C., Penny Dreadful, and Star Trek: Picard.
Orla Guerin is a journalist best known for her work with BBC News and reporting from conflict zones.
Fictional characters named Orla
The following list of fictional characters named Orla is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Orla is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. She is a key character in the narrative, often involved in the political and personal conflicts of her world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Orla, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Orla. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Orla was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Orla has ranked as high as #4462 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Orla has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Orla is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Orla was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Orla.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 2024 | 71 | 0 | 71 |
| 2023 | 68 | 0 | 68 |
| 2022 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| 2021 | 56 | 0 | 56 |
| 2020 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 2019 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2018 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2017 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 2016 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 2015 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 2014 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2013 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2012 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 2011 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
| 2010 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 2009 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 2008 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2007 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 2006 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2005 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2004 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2003 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2002 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2001 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2000 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1999 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1998 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1996 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1991 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1966 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1965 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1964 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1951 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1949 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1947 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| 1945 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1944 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 1941 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1940 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1938 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1937 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1936 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1934 | 17 | 7 | 10 |
| 1933 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1932 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1931 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1930 | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| 1929 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 1928 | 20 | 9 | 11 |
| 1927 | 26 | 10 | 16 |
| 1926 | 20 | 6 | 14 |
| 1925 | 14 | 6 | 8 |
| 1924 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| 1923 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 1922 | 27 | 12 | 15 |
| 1921 | 24 | 13 | 11 |
| 1920 | 27 | 10 | 17 |
| 1919 | 22 | 9 | 13 |
| 1918 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
| 1917 | 22 | 11 | 11 |
| 1916 | 26 | 9 | 17 |
| 1915 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 1914 | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| 1913 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1912 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1910 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1904 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1900 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1899 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 1898 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 1894 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1892 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1891 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1890 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1887 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1885 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1884 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1882 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1881 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1880 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Orla (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 | |
| MA | 6 | |
| MN | 6 | |
| NY | 6 |