Orla

Orla is an English-friendly spelling of the Irish name Órla, related to the fuller Órlaith. Its elements connect gold with a word for a ruler or sovereign, producing the traditional interpretation “golden princess.” The name has medieval Irish roots and appears in the family history surrounding Brian Boru, giving it a genuine historical setting beyond its appealing meaning.

Órlaith and Orlagh preserve more of the older written form, while Orla presents the name compactly without an accent. A separate masculine name Orla also exists in Danish, with a less certain origin; that is a different naming tradition. For parents choosing the Irish name, the original accented spelling and the medieval forms help identify the intended heritage clearly, especially when the same letters are encountered in another language.