Girl · 122nd of 12,526
Eileen
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
189,576
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
4,267
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Eileen stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Eileen has Irish origins and means 'bright, shining one.' It evolved from the name Éibhlín, which is a diminutive of Elizabeth. The name has a rich linguistic history and is associated with elegance and charm. There are no biblical references tied to Eileen, but it became popular in the 20th century, especially in English-speaking regions.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/aɪˈliːn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Eileen is derived from the Irish name 'Éibhlín,' which itself is a diminutive form of 'Elizabeth.' The name Elizabeth has Hebrew origins, meaning 'God is my oath.'
Meaning
bright, shining one
Language Evolution
Éibhlín, Eibhlin, Eileen
Historical Usage
Eileen gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly in the United States and Ireland.
Variants & Derivatives
Eibhlin, Eileen, Aileen
Modern Popularity & Image
Eileen is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with elegance and charm.
Famous People
Eileen Atkins, Eileen Fisher, Eileen Myles
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,267 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 24 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4917th of 7545 | 34 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2498th of 6773 | 170 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2871st of 7552 | 156 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6193rd of 10718 | 39 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15172nd of 16616 | 7 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 118th of 9107 | 37,358 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 107th of 9204 | 46,175 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 122nd of 12526 | 68,112 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 256th of 19264 | 17,832 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 479th of 27321 | 7,944 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 710th of 35406 | 6,056 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 685th of 30306 | 5,089 |