Orla
Fact sheet
- Name
- Orla
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Orla for girls is the English form of the Irish name Orlaith, which has its origins in Órfhlaith. The meaning of the name is 'the golden woman' or 'the golden princess'.
What does the name Orla mean?
Orla, a girl's name, is the English equivalent of the Irish Orlaith, which is derived from Órfhlaith. The translation is 'the golden woman' or 'the golden princess'. The name is made up of the Gaelic elements òr, meaning 'golden', and flaith, meaning 'prince', 'princess', or 'ruler'. Additionally, Orla is also the name of a small river in Thuringia, which is a tributary of the Saale. Another well-known variant is Orlagh.
Where does the name Orla come from?
The etymology of Orla refers to a feminine first name that has Old Irish and Gaelic roots and means 'the golden woman'. The Old Irish and Gaelic elements consist of òr, meaning 'golden', and flaith, meaning 'prince', 'princess', or 'ruler'. This name is common in both English and Irish languages.
How do you pronounce Orla?
The name Orla has a two-syllable structure and is clearly articulated. It is typically pronounced as 'Or-la' [ˈɔʁla], with the sound beginning with a rounded o-sound that radiates depth and calm. The inserted r provides a distinct structure to the sound. The open ending on -a conveys warmth and softness. Orla thus appears compact and harmonious at the same time – it seems down-to-earth, clear, and pleasantly balanced.
Popularity
In Germany, Orla enjoys great popularity as a first name. Currently, it ranks 2,723rd on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2008, when it reached 933rd place. Over the last ten years, Orla has been used as a first name around 110 times, placing it 2,306th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,469th.
Nicknames & pet names
Orli
Famous people
- Orla Brady (Irish actress)
- Órla Fallon (singer)
- Orla Fitzgerald (actress from Ireland)
- Orla Fitzsimons (British rugby player)
- Orla Gartland (Irish singer-songwriter)
- Orla Jorgensen (Danish cyclist)
- Orla Kiely (designer)
- Orla Molgaard-Nielsen (architect from Denmark)
- Orla Noom (Dutch squash player)
- Orla Nord (Danish cyclist)
- Orla Tobin (Irish model)
- Orla Venter (Namibian high jumper)
- Peter Martin Orla Lehmann (Danish politician of the 19th century)
Frequently asked questions about the name Orla
What is the origin of the name Orla?
Orla has its roots in Old Irish and Gaelic and means 'the golden woman'.
What does the name Orla mean?
The name is composed of the Gaelic elements òr, meaning 'golden', and flaith, meaning 'prince', 'princess', or 'ruler'.
How popular is the name Orla?
Orla is increasingly gaining popularity, especially in English-speaking regions, and is a modern choice for parents looking for a unique name.