Eileen
/aɪ.ˈlin/
Eileen is an Irish anglicisation of Eibhlín, itself an Irish form of Evelyn or Aveline, which trace back to the Germanic element avila or to the Norman French import.
The name is sometimes equated with Helen through folk etymology, associating it with the Greek helē meaning “shining” or “bright.”
The Irish form Eibhlín appears in classic Gaelic poetry, most famously in the 18th-century lament Eibhlín a Rún. The anglicised Eileen became widespread as Irish emigrants carried the name to America, Britain, and Australia.
What the name Eileen means
Eileen peaked in the US at No. 68 in 1943 with 4,092 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 593 with 508 births, in the early stages of a vintage revival.
The 1982 hit song “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners gave the name a burst of pop-culture visibility that endures decades later. The song remains one of the best-selling singles of that decade.
Three syllables—eye-LEEN—flow easily. The falling diphthong opening and the long final vowel give it an undulating, musical quality that matches its Irish poetic heritage.
Parents rediscovering Eileen appreciate its genuine Irish roots, its soft sound, and its place in a wave of Irish revival names—Brigid, Aoife, Saoirse—returning to favour.
Variants include Eibhlín (original Irish), Aileen (Scottish variant), Ayleen, Ilene, and Evelyn (its more distant English cousin through shared Norman roots).
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Eileen
Eileen - similar names
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