A 1940s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Eileen since 1882
Babies named Eileen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 81 |
| 1890s | 438 |
| 1900s | 1,351 |
| 1910s | 12,706 |
| 1920s | 28,588 |
| 1930s | 22,258 |
| 1940s | 34,695 |
| 1950s | 36,570 |
| 1960s | 24,868 |
| 1970s | 7,915 |
| 1980s | 5,689 |
| 1990s | 4,109 |
| 2000s | 3,801 |
| 2010s | 3,836 |
| 2020s | 2,709 |
Meaning & origin
Eileen is a classic Irish name that has seen a resurgence in recent years. First recorded in the United States in 1882, it reached its peak popularity in 1943, when it was among the top names for girls. After a period of decline, Eileen has been on an upward trend since 2009, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names. In 2025, the name ranked 654th, with a frequency of 1 in 3,678 births. Its top states historically include Massachusetts, Washington, and New York, suggesting a strong presence in Irish-American communities and urban areas. The name's appeal lies in its soft sound and deep Irish roots, offering a less common but familiar alternative to more popular choices like Emma or Ava.
Eileen is an anglicized form of the Irish name Eibhlín, which itself derives from the Norman French name Aveline (a diminutive of Avila). The name was further influenced by the Irish name Éile, meaning 'light' or 'radiance'. It has been used in Ireland since the Middle Ages and became common in English-speaking countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Where Eileen is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Eileen” around the world
Where Eileen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
50
babies in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eil, Lee, Lena, Ellie
Sibling names for Eileen
Names that share Eileen's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maeve, Nora, Claire, Bridget, Sheila, Doreen, Kathleen, Maureen, Sheena, Ardith, Arleen, Arlene, Carleen, Carlene, Cathleen, Charmaine, Coleen, Darleen, Ilene, Laraine, Loretta, Marcene, Nadene, Noreen, Sharlene, Sharyn, Alaine, Arlean, Ceola, Charlean, Colene, Dalene, Daneen, Darlena, Darline, Dorine, Earleen, Francene, Ileen, Jacquelyne, Joline, Kathaleen, Kathlene, Nadean, Norene, Raylene, Sharleen, Shela, Shiela, Willene, Aileene, Aleene, Ardene, Arleene, Arlynn, Cathlene, Claudene, Collene, Delene, Delorse, Denine, Doreene, Dorlene, Evelene, Fayrene, Gayleen, Geraldene, Gerldine, Janalee, Jearldine, Jeniece, Jerene, Jerline, Juleen, Katheleen, Kathleene, Laretta, Leane, Luellen, Maurene, Michelene, Orlene, Rayma, Roshell, Sheilia, Sheilla, Valene, Vanetta, Calleen, Cathaleen, Charlayne, Charleene, Connee, Crystale, Darleene, Eloyce, Gailya, Gaylia, Genee, Georgeann, Geralene, Ileane, Illene, Jerrine, Joeleen, Jolane, Joyceann, Julane, Kathline, Marliss, Marvina, Michaeleen, Michaelene, Moreen, Morene, Norlene, Norrine, Ralene, Rojean, Scherrie, Sheryn, Vernadine, Vonceil, Wandalee, Wylene, Correen, Franceen, Grisell, Harlean, Nellene, Ardel, Arelene, Arlyss, Athleen, Bettyanne, Bridgitt, Brigetta, Brigitt, Cathlin, Cherylene, Christean, Colinda, Daleen, Darlys, Dorleen, Dorreen, Erleen, Eulene, Floreen, Geanine, Gerene, Jilleen, Judene, Katheen, Kennetha, Lauriann, Leilene, Luane, Marlean, Marvalene, Mayrene, Myrene, Noreene, Norinne, Orine, Pauleen, Roxene, Rudine, Shirle, Trease, Verleen
Brothers: Patrick, Sean, Liam, Declan, Kevin, Kenneth, Laverne, Pat, Randal, Delvin, Dorsey, Marlan, Conley, Derwin, Duwayne, Ferrell, Glennon, Harlon, Kerwin, Lavaughn, Lavelle, Mervyn, Orie, Dewaine, Donel, Doyne, Earvin, Ferrel, Jimmey, Karron, Malachy, Rondel, Darroll, Finan, Kester, Orlen, Jerl, Conn, Dareld, Dennard, Derrall, Dowell, Garlon, Lannis, Norm
Names like Eileen
Names whose popularity has moved with Eileen's over the last 50 years.
