Iona
Iona is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Blessed, island, or dove.
Origin and history
Iona is a given name associated with the famous Scottish island of Iona, long historically tied to early Celtic Christianity. It is also used in modern English-speaking regions as a botanical or place-inspired name. In the United States, it has been used consistently since the late 19th century as a quiet, classic choice.
Popularity in the United States
12,251 babies in the United States have been named Iona since 1880. It ranks #1454 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1725.
States where it is most popular
- IL (7.4 %)
- OH (7.4 %)
- PA (6.7 %)
- NY (6 %)
- TX (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 224 |
| 1890-1900 | 455 |
| 1900-1910 | 838 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,362 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,151 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,747 |
| 1940-1950 | 887 |
| 1950-1960 | 610 |
| 1960-1970 | 290 |
| 1970-1980 | 198 |
| 1980-1990 | 139 |
| 1990-2000 | 126 |
| 2000-2010 | 305 |
| 2010-2019 | 543 |
| 2020-2029 | 376 |
Famous people named Iona
- Iona Brown: Violinists, Conductors
- Iona Opie: Folklorist, Author
- Iona Campagnolo: Politician
Fun facts
- The name is closely connected to the Hebridean island of Iona, home to Iona Abbey founded in 563 AD.
- The island name itself is believed to derive from an Old Norse term for 'island' or an ancient Gaelic root.