Holding steady.
Popularity of Illene since 1915
Babies named Illene per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1941, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Illene's real moment was 1931.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 29 |
| 1920s | 76 |
| 1930s | 103 |
| 1940s | 81 |
| 1950s | 62 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Illene is a feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, suggesting a 20th-century coinage or variant. Its peak popularity occurred in 1931, during which it likely reached its highest usage, though exact rank data is unavailable. Since then, its trajectory has been stable, with no recorded births in 2025, indicating the name has become extremely rare. The name's top associated states are unknown due to its scarcity. Illene fits within a group of names ending in '-een' or '-lene' that were fashionable in the early to mid-1900s, such as Eileen, Arlene, and Darlene. While its exact origin is debated, it likely blends phonetic elements from established names, making it a distinctive choice rooted in mid-century American naming trends.
Illene likely emerged as a 20th-century variant of Eileen, itself an anglicization of the Irish Eibhlín, derived from the Norman French Aveline and ultimately from the Germanic element 'avi' (wished-for child). Alternatively, it may be a feminine form of Allen, from the Celtic 'alun' (harmony) or 'al' (rock). The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1930s, peaking in 1931, but has since seen limited use.
Sibling names for Illene
Names that share Illene's style, for a brother or sister.
