The nameEileen
Eileen is an Irish form of Helen. It was a top 70 American name in the 1940s.
- Girl's name
- Irish
Meaning
Eileen comes from the Irish Eibhlín, a form of Evelyn or Helen.
Origin
Irish.
History
Eileen spread with Irish emigration. In the United States it reached 68th in 1943. The 1982 hit Come On Eileen made it famous again.
Famous people named Eileen
- Eileen Gray, designer
- Eileen Collins, astronaut
- Eileen Gu, freestyle skier
Popularity of the name Eileen
Eileen in the United States
Eileen was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 36,647 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Eileen. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1947. Half of all babies named Eileen in the United States were born before 1948, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 454 births a year.
Eileen in the United Kingdom
Eileen was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 239 births over the decade, 33% of all recorded babies named Eileen. Half of all babies named Eileen in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 43 births a year on average, against 23 in the five years before.
Eileen in Ireland
Eileen in France
Eileen in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Eileen
Names from the same generation as Eileen, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Eileen? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Eileen with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Eileen side by side with the name of your choice.
Eileen in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eileen mean?
Eileen comes from the Irish Eibhlín, a form of Evelyn or Helen.
What is the origin of the name Eileen?
Irish.
Is Eileen a girl's or a boy's name?
Eileen is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Eileen?
In 2024, Eileen was the 592nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 508 births.
What are the variants of the name Eileen?
Variants and related names of Eileen include Evelyn and Evelyne.
What are good sibling names for Eileen?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Hana, Sylvia, Noemi and Lara for a sister, Kieran, Frederick, Mohammad and Leonard for a brother.
Who are famous people named Eileen?
Eileen Gray, designer; Eileen Collins, astronaut; Eileen Gu, freestyle skier.