NameRealm
Aileen

Aileen: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning
“bright, shining one”
Origin
Irish
Say it
eye-LEEN · 2 syllables
Used for
Girls

Anglicized form of the Irish Eibhlín, which ultimately derives from Aveline; in modern use it is also associated with Helen/Eileen forms. The exact pathway varies by tradition.

Irish namesEnglish namesScottish namesNames meaning lightNames meaning beautyClassic namesInternational names

How popular is Aileen?

2024117 per million US babies
1880192019602000
Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Babies named Aileen in 2024390

2024 rank#718 girls

Peak year1911

Total US babies since 188037,298

Aileen has been fairly stable over the last fifteen years.

Names like Aileen

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

  • Ayleenbright, shining one · Irish
  • Arleneuncertain · Unknown
  • Ailynuncertain; often linked to Helen or Aileen · Unknown
  • Allenelittle rock; harmony · Irish
  • Maeveshe who intoxicates · Irish
  • Kennedyhelmeted head · Irish
  • Sloaneraider · Irish
  • Delaneydescendant of the challenger · Irish

Aileen questions

What does the name Aileen mean?

Aileen means "bright, shining one". It comes from Irish. Anglicized form of the Irish Eibhlín, which ultimately derives from Aveline; in modern use it is also associated with Helen/Eileen forms. The exact pathway varies by tradition.

Is Aileen a boy or girl name?

Aileen is mainly a girl's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Aileen?

390 US babies were named Aileen in 2024. Its peak year was 1911.

How do you pronounce Aileen?

Aileen is usually pronounced eye-LEEN.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.