Will my child share the name Islay with classmates?

Unlikely. With around 6 UK babies named Islay per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Islay in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.

Is Islay becoming more or less popular in the UK?

Islay is declining: down 862 places since 2020, to #3,705 in 2025. It peaked at #1,649 in 2012.

Is Islay a good choice for a distinctive name?

Islay is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.

Is Islay a popular baby name in the United States?

Islay does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice.

👧 Girl's name 💎 Relatively Unique UK #3705

Islay

🗳️ Add Islay to a family shortlist

Islay is a distinctive choice, ranked #3705 in 2025. Your child is likely to be the only Islay in their class.

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UK Rank 2025

#3705

About the Name Islay

Islay has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 173 places in five years. It was most popular in 2012 at #1649 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1997.

Islay is rare in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Islay in their class.