Declining since 2009.
Popularity of Ileen since 1895
Babies named Ileen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 20 |
| 1910s | 201 |
| 1920s | 422 |
| 1930s | 236 |
| 1940s | 271 |
| 1950s | 208 |
| 1960s | 148 |
| 1970s | 61 |
| 1980s | 79 |
| 1990s | 113 |
| 2000s | 224 |
| 2010s | 143 |
| 2020s | 21 |
Meaning & origin
Ileen is a rare feminine name that peaked in 1925 during a period when names like Eileen, Arlene, and Darlene were particularly fashionable. Despite its similarity to the more common Eileen, Ileen has never appeared in the top 1000 baby names in the United States, making it a distinctive choice. The name's trajectory has been falling since 2009, and it is now given to fewer than 5 girls per year. Ileen's origins are tied to Irish and Norman naming traditions, through the variant Eileen and the Old French Aveline. The name carries a gentle, vintage feel, evoking early 20th-century charm.
Ileen is a variant spelling of Eileen, which comes from the Irish Eibhlín, a Gaelic form of the Old French name Aveline. Aveline is a diminutive of Avila, possibly related to the Latin avis 'bird', or from the Germanic element avi 'desired'. The name entered Irish usage through Norman influence in the medieval period and became established as a feminine given name, especially in Ireland and among Irish diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Lena
Sibling names for Ileen
Names that share Ileen's style, for a brother or sister.
