Eileen

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Eileen

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, Irish
Etymology:
Eileen is generally thought of as the Anglicized form of Eibhlín or Aibhilín, the Irish Gaelic form of Aveline, an elaborated form of Avis, the Norman french form of a Germanic name, Aveza.
-or-
Eileen is also considered to be the Irish form of Helen, Greek name which means “Light,” or “the Bright One.”

History:
Eileen spread from Ireland to the rest of the English-speaking world and became quite popular during the early to mid-20th century.
Please see Avis, or Helen for more information.

Pronunciation: eye-leen.

Alternates: Ilene, Aileen, Aibhilín.

See also: Aileen.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Eileen Joyce (1912-1991)
Australian pianist.
Eileen Chang (Chang Ai-ling) (1920-1995)
Chinese writer.

Miscellaneous:
Eileen Collins (1956-)
American astronaut.

Singers and Entertainers:
Eileen Farrell (1920-)
American singer.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.105 % named Eileen
0.016 % named Aileen
0.011 % named Ilene

Popularity of Eileen:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 238th most popular.
1910-1920: 134th most popular.
1920-1930: 97th most popular.
1930-1940: 120th most popular.
1940-1950: 88th most popular.
1950-1960: 116th most popular.
1960-1970: 156th most popular.
1970-1980: 296th most popular.
1980-1990: 385th most popular.
1990: 563rd most popular.
1991: 539th most popular.
1992: 562nd most popular.
1993: 575th most popular.
1994: 602nd most popular.
1995: 597th most popular.
1996: 603rd most popular.
1997: 596th most popular.
1998: 552nd most popular.
1999: 597th most popular.
2000: 614th most popular.
2001: 617th most popular.
2002: 658th most popular.
2003: 679th most popular.

Popularity of Ilene:
Popularity (for newborns):
1900-1910: N/A
1910-1920: 615th most popular.
1920-1930: 409th most popular.
1930-1940: 423rd most popular.
1940-1950: 418th most popular.
1950-1960: 509th most popular.
1960-1970: 707th most popular.
1970-2000: N/A