Eileen Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Eileen Name Meaning

Fact: In Ireland and Irish communities, the name Eileen is a favorite for evoking a sense of beauty.

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A Deep Dive

Eileen Overview

Meaning

Desired, little bird, strength

Gender

Girl

Origin

Irish

Etymology

Derived from the Gaelic name “Eibhlín” or “Aibhilín,” which are forms of the Old French name “Aveline” meaning “hazelnut” or “desired.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/aɪˈliːn/

Popularity

Eileen is moderately popular in English-speaking countries such as the USA, the UK, and Ireland. In the USA, it ranked #659 for girls in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Elegant, strong, classic, refined

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Influenced by Saint Eileen, known for her compassion and charity.

Name Day

July 21st (France), May 26th
A Deep Dive

Eileen Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Aileen, Ilene, Ailin, Eibhlin, Alina, Elena, Ellen, Eilene, Elaine, Eilidh

Common Nicknames

Ei, Lee, Leena, Lena, Ellie, Lina, Eily, Elle, Lili, Ina

Diminutives

Eily, Lina, Elle, Ina, Leena

Famous People

  • Eileen Atkins
    (English Actress)
  • Eileen Brennan
    (American Actress)
  • Eileen Davidson
    (American Actress)
  • Eileen Collins
    (American Astronaut)
  • Eileen Fisher
    (American Fashion Designer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Eileen"
    (Novel)
  • "Eileen"
    (Film)
  • Eileen Leahy
    ("Supernatural" TV Series)
  • Eileen Rand
    ("Smash" TV Series)

Places

  • Eileen Locality
    (Idaho, USA)
  • Eileen
    (California, USA)
  • Eileen
    (Illinois, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Eileen?

Eileen means “desired,” “strength,” or “little bird,” symbolizing elegance and delicacy. Individuals named Eileen often exude a sense of grace and determination, embodying a strong and independent spirit.

What Is the Origin of The Name Eileen?

Eileen has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic name “Eibhlin” or “Aibhilin,” which is a form of the name Helen, meaning “light” or “desired.”

Eileen Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Eileen in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#6712021#6212022#6592023
Top 3 Rankings#681943#701945#731944

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Eileen

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023659
(-38 from 2022)
444
(-31 from 2022)
0.02538
2022621
(+50 from 2021)
475
(+35 from 2021)
0.02649
2021671
(+30 from 2020)
440
(+40 from 2020)
0.02456
2020701
No change from 2019
400
(-13 from 2019)
0.02263
2019701
(-32 from 2018)
413
(-26 from 2018)
0.02251
2018669
(+23 from 2017)
439
(+18 from 2017)
0.02361
2017692
(+35 from 2016)
421
(+31 from 2016)
0.02229
2016727
(-31 from 2015)
390
(-18 from 2015)
0.02015
2015696
(+18 from 2014)
408
(+17 from 2014)
0.02091
2014714
(+40 from 2013)
391
(+32 from 2013)
0.01999
2013754
(+75 from 2012)
359
(+35 from 2012)
0.01862
2012829
(-84 from 2011)
324
(-45 from 2011)
0.01671
2011745
(+91 from 2010)
369
(+48 from 2010)
0.01904
2010836
(-23 from 2009)
321
(-26 from 2009)
0.01637
2009813
(-51 from 2008)
347
(-39 from 2008)
0.01714
2008762
(-28 from 2007)
386
(-10 from 2007)
0.01853
2007734
(+43 from 2006)
396
(+41 from 2006)
0.01871
2006777
(-60 from 2005)
355
(-26 from 2005)
0.01698
2005717
(+20 from 2004)
381
(+23 from 2004)
0.01877
2004737
(-58 from 2003)
358
(-30 from 2003)
0.01774
2003679
(-12 from 2002)
388
(+8 from 2002)
0.01934
2002667
(-49 from 2001)
380
(-27 from 2001)
0.01924
2001618
(+6 from 2000)
407
(+5 from 2000)
0.02055
2000624
(-31 from 1999)
402
(-12 from 1999)
0.02014
1999593
(-41 from 1998)
414
(-36 from 1998)
0.02127
1998552
(+48 from 1997)
450
(+73 from 1997)
0.02321
1997600
(+14 from 1996)
377
(+4 from 1996)
0.01975
1996614
(-11 from 1995)
373
(+1 from 1995)
0.01946
1995603
(+5 from 1994)
372
(+4 from 1994)
0.01936
1994608
(-20 from 1993)
368
(-33 from 1993)
0.01888
1993588
(-9 from 1992)
401
(-2 from 1992)
0.02034
1992579
(-25 from 1991)
403
(-19 from 1991)
0.02010
1991554
(-93 from 1990)
422
(-107 from 1990)
0.02075
1990461
(+5 from 1989)
529
(+5 from 1989)
0.02575
1989466
(-26 from 1988)
524
(+9 from 1988)
0.02630
1988440
(+24 from 1987)
515
(+44 from 1987)
0.02678
1987464
(-52 from 1986)
471
(-63 from 1986)
0.02513
1986412
(-9 from 1985)
534
(-26 from 1985)
0.02894
1985403
(-30 from 1984)
560
(-54 from 1984)
0.03033
1984373
(-41 from 1983)
614
(-75 from 1983)
0.03405
1983332
(+62 from 1982)
689
(+105 from 1982)
0.03850
1982394
(-8 from 1981)
584
(-1 from 1981)
0.03219
1981386
(-9 from 1980)
585
(-28 from 1980)
0.03271
1980377
(+9 from 1979)
613
(+43 from 1979)
0.03443
1979386
(-41 from 1978)
570
(-59 from 1978)
0.03308
1978345
(+3 from 1977)
629
(-4 from 1977)
0.03826
1977348
(+21 from 1976)
633
(+69 from 1976)
0.03848
1976369
(-33 from 1975)
564
(-98 from 1975)
0.03588
1975336
(-28 from 1974)
662
(-97 from 1974)
0.04241
1974308
(-25 from 1973)
759
(-106 from 1973)
0.04846
1973283
(-5 from 1972)
865
(-53 from 1972)
0.05566
1972278
(-1 from 1971)
918
(-118 from 1971)
0.05693
1971277
(-32 from 1970)
1036
(-245 from 1970)
0.05911
1970245
(-33 from 1969)
1281
(-193 from 1969)
0.06993
1969212
(-15 from 1968)
1474
(-105 from 1968)
0.08362
1968197
(-17 from 1967)
1579
(-213 from 1967)
0.09236
1967180
(-12 from 1966)
1792
(-247 from 1966)
0.10438
1966168
(-11 from 1965)
2039
(-379 from 1965)
0.11613
1965157
(-4 from 1964)
2418
(-167 from 1964)
0.13231
1964153
(-13 from 1963)
2585
(-353 from 1963)
0.13207
1963140
(-1 from 1962)
2938
(-117 from 1962)
0.14778
1962139
(-8 from 1961)
3055
(-436 from 1961)
0.15072
1961131
(-1 from 1960)
3491
(-5 from 1960)
0.16807
1960130
(-4 from 1959)
3496
(-133 from 1959)
0.16810
1959126
(-1 from 1958)
3629
(+103 from 1958)
0.17459
1958125
(-5 from 1957)
3526
(-183 from 1957)
0.17069
1957120
(+3 from 1956)
3709
(+259 from 1956)
0.17678
1956123
(-3 from 1955)
3450
(-53 from 1955)
0.16751
1955120
(-5 from 1954)
3503
(-177 from 1954)
0.17472
1954115
(-7 from 1953)
3680
(+51 from 1953)
0.18485
1953108
(-8 from 1952)
3629
(-113 from 1952)
0.18808
1952100
(-5 from 1951)
3742
(-74 from 1951)
0.19674
195195
(-4 from 1950)
3816
(-67 from 1950)
0.20657
195091
(+4 from 1949)
3883
(+161 from 1949)
0.22081
194995
(-4 from 1948)
3722
(-116 from 1948)
0.21202
194891
No change from 1947
3838
(-413 from 1947)
0.22024
194791
(-11 from 1946)
4251
(+83 from 1946)
0.23384
194680
(-10 from 1945)
4168
(+530 from 1945)
0.25842
194570
(+3 from 1944)
3638
(-11 from 1944)
0.27026
194473
(-5 from 1943)
3649
(-443 from 1943)
0.26703
194368
(+20 from 1942)
4092
(+985 from 1942)
0.28508
194288
(+33 from 1941)
3107
(+911 from 1941)
0.22345
1941121
(+4 from 1940)
2196
(+163 from 1940)
0.17625
1940125
(-10 from 1939)
2033
(-125 from 1939)
0.17209
1939115
(-2 from 1938)
2158
(-125 from 1938)
0.19029
1938113
(-6 from 1937)
2283
(-61 from 1937)
0.20001
1937107
(-4 from 1936)
2344
(+24 from 1936)
0.21273
1936103
(+5 from 1935)
2320
(+121 from 1935)
0.21530
1935108
(+1 from 1934)
2199
(-28 from 1934)
0.20234
1934109
(+6 from 1933)
2227
(+223 from 1933)
0.20576
1933115
(-1 from 1932)
2004
(-117 from 1932)
0.19158
1932114
(-8 from 1931)
2121
(-103 from 1931)
0.19172
1931106
(+4 from 1930)
2224
(-154 from 1930)
0.20150
1930110
(-12 from 1929)
2378
(-180 from 1929)
0.20387
192998
(+4 from 1928)
2558
(-86 from 1928)
0.22098
1928102
(-11 from 1927)
2644
(-285 from 1927)
0.22116
192791
(+1 from 1926)
2929
(+1 from 1926)
0.23689
192692
(+4 from 1925)
2928
(-36 from 1925)
0.23802
192596
(-3 from 1924)
2964
(-106 from 1924)
0.23466
192493
(+2 from 1923)
3070
(+94 from 1923)
0.23694
192395
(+1 from 1922)
2976
(+37 from 1922)
0.23761
192296
(+4 from 1921)
2939
(+77 from 1921)
0.23558
1921100
No change from 1920
2862
(+144 from 1920)
0.22364
1920100
(+3 from 1919)
2718
(+372 from 1919)
0.21848
1919103
(+7 from 1918)
2346
(+82 from 1918)
0.19972
1918110
(-4 from 1917)
2264
(+117 from 1917)
0.18830
1917106
(+12 from 1916)
2147
(+289 from 1916)
0.19107
1916118
(+14 from 1915)
1858
(+365 from 1915)
0.17113
1915132
(+27 from 1914)
1493
(+573 from 1914)
0.14582
1914159
(+25 from 1913)
920
(+306 from 1913)
0.11549
1913184
(+19 from 1912)
614
(+144 from 1912)
0.09375
1912203
(+8 from 1911)
470
(+134 from 1911)
0.08011
1911211
(+29 from 1910)
336
(+78 from 1910)
0.07605
1910240
No change from 1909
258
(+42 from 1909)
0.06150
1909240
(+2 from 1908)
216
(+17 from 1908)
0.05868
1908242
(+24 from 1907)
199
(+31 from 1907)
0.05613
1907266
(-8 from 1906)
168
(+7 from 1906)
0.04979
1906258
(+43 from 1905)
161
(+37 from 1905)
0.05137
1905301
(-7 from 1904)
124
(+4 from 1904)
0.04002
1904294
(+16 from 1903)
120
(+19 from 1903)
0.04103
1903310
(+14 from 1902)
101
(+10 from 1902)
0.03631
1902324
(+2 from 1901)
91
(+5 from 1901)
0.03246
1901326
(+39 from 1900)
86
(+1 from 1900)
0.03383
1900365
(-26 from 1899)
85
(+8 from 1899)
0.02675
1899339
(+6 from 1898)
77
(-4 from 1898)
0.03111
1898345
(+31 from 1897)
81
(+22 from 1897)
0.02955
1897376
(+48 from 1896)
59
(+13 from 1896)
0.02376
1896424
(+2 from 1895)
46
(+2 from 1895)
0.01825
1895426
(+37 from 1894)
44
(+8 from 1894)
0.01781
1894463
(+10 from 1893)
36
(+4 from 1893)
0.01526
1893473
(-13 from 1892)
32
(-3 from 1892)
0.01421
1892460
(+290 from 1891)
35
(+22 from 1891)
0.01556
1891750
(-57 from 1890)
13
(-2 from 1890)
0.00661
1890693
(-126 from 1889)
15
(-5 from 1889)
0.00744
1889567
(+123 from 1888)
20
(+6 from 1888)
0.01057
1888690
(-104 from 1887)
14
(-1 from 1887)
0.00739
1887586
(-14 from 1886)
15
No change from 1886
0.00965
1886572
(+349 from 1885)
15
(+9 from 1885)
0.00976
1885921
(-1 from 1883)
6
(+1 from 1883)
0.00423
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1883920
(-107 from 1882)
5
(-1 from 1882)
0.00416
1882813
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00519
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Eileen

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#4522021#4172022#3972023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#8402021#11642022#7382023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#6632021#5242022#6902023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#5112021#4372022#6032023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4612021#3512022#4332023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5822021#5212022#6102023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#7072021#8952022#7692023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#7672021#6012022#6552023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#8862012#8782019#6562020

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#9092017#9132018#6972023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4682019#4182020#4422022

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#6332021#5312022#4972023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#10922021#10922022#4932023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7722020#8652021#7542022

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5982021#6152022#8012023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4251982#4471992#4841999

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#6682021#7022022#6462023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#6582021#8872022#8622023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1651970#2001972#1651973

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2451973#2821975#3271984

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#9092020#9222022#9462023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#6982021#4572022#8562023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2071961#1611962#1731963

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4571999#6022020#5242021

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2551988#2491995#2512000

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4952018#6722021#4692023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2041963#2511964#2041972

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2671965#3431966#3351968

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6421988#8582008#6782021

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#6012021#4292022#6522023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#7652017#5802022#7692023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2711962#2561963#1901983

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2441969#2191970#2121989

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2911989#4001995#3471996

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6402015#7382017#5162021

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#6272021#7842022#7322023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#11042021#12232022#11252023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#7542020#6442021#7402023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1591967#1851968#1841986

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#3061980#1501981#2491982

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2471961#2131962#1451963

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1311969#1701970#1521974

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#6012021#7122022#8442023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1141962#1061964#1381968

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5251968#8342018#7282023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3241955#4021964#3852023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1681960#1511963#1341965

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4991967#7912018#7972020

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5471963#4911964#4681969

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1041968#1761983#1812004

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5722017#5672018#5402022

Popularity Rankings for Eileen in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1582005

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2631987#4021989#3811994

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4861992#4161993#3201994

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#3222021#3572022#4452023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3492020#3532021#3702022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#3922020#4682021#4692022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#7652021#4952022#3972023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4402013#4262015#4462021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#5722001#5322002#4882006

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#5012022#6422023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#6032019

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8181984#8592020#8902022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#9161996#9962003

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Eileen a Name for Boys or Girls?

Eileen is traditionally a girl’s name. Its gentle, melodic sound and historical use in Irish culture make it a popular choice for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Eileen

Eileen in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Eileen Atkins (Actress, 1934): An English actress and screenwriter known for her work in theatre, film, and television, including "Gosford Park" and "The Crown."
  • Eileen Brennan (Actress, 1932–2013): An American actress best known for her roles in "The Last Picture Show" and "Private Benjamin."
  • Eileen Davidson (Actress, 1959): An American actress and author famous for her roles on the soap operas "The Young and the Restless" and "Days of Our Lives."
  • Eileen Collins (Astronaut, 1956): A retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force colonel, the first female pilot and commander of a Space Shuttle.
  • Eileen Fisher (Fashion Designer, 1950): An American clothing designer who founded the women's clothing brand Eileen Fisher, Inc.
  • "Eileen" (2015 Novel): A psychological thriller novel by Ottessa Moshfegh about a young woman named Eileen working at a juvenile detention center in 1960s Massachusetts, whose life changes dramatically when she befriends a new co-worker.
  • "Eileen" (2023 Film): A film adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel, following the story of Eileen, played by Thomasin McKenzie, as she navigates a twisted friendship with her glamorous co-worker Rebecca.
  • Eileen Leahy ("Supernatural," 2015 TV Series): A character in the long-running TV series who is a hunter and love interest of Sam Winchester, portrayed by Shoshannah Stern.
  • Eileen Rand ("Smash," 2012 TV Series): A character in the musical drama series, portrayed by Anjelica Huston, who is a Broadway producer trying to bring a Marilyn Monroe musical to the stage.
  • Eileen Locality (Idaho, USA): A small locality in Idaho, known for its tranquil environment and rural charm.
  • Eileen (California, USA): A place in California, notable for its picturesque surroundings and community-oriented lifestyle.
  • Eileen (Illinois, USA): A region in Illinois, appreciated for its close-knit community and serene atmosphere.

Similar Names to Eileen

Sibling Names for Eileen