A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Eilene since 1909
Babies named Eilene per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1946, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Eilene's real moment was 1938.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 146 |
| 1920s | 344 |
| 1930s | 339 |
| 1940s | 387 |
| 1950s | 286 |
| 1960s | 191 |
| 1970s | 78 |
| 1980s | 85 |
| 1990s | 58 |
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 39 |
Meaning & origin
Eilene is a rare feminine given name that reached its greatest popularity in the United States around the 1930s, peaking in 1938. After decades of decline, the name has been slowly rising in use since 2018, though it remains uncommon. In 2025, it ranked 9,457th, with about 1 in every 160,727 girls given the name. As a variant of the more familiar Eileen, Eilene offers a slightly more distinctive spelling while maintaining the soft, classic sound of its Irish roots. The name's trajectory suggests a modest revival, appealing to parents seeking vintage names with a Celtic heritage.
Eilene is a variant of Eileen, itself an Anglicization of the Irish name Eibhlín, which is borrowed from the Norman French Aveline, a diminutive of Avila. The name shares roots with the English Evelyn and is often interpreted as 'desired' or 'radiant', though its ultimate etymology is debated. Eilene saw modest use in the United States in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1930s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Elle, Lena, Eily
Sibling names for Eilene
Names that share Eilene's style, for a brother or sister.
