Aileen
Aileen is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Bright, shining one, or desired.
Origin and history
Aileen is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Eibhlin, which is historically linked to Eileen and Helen. It carries meanings associated with light or strength depending on the etymological root referenced. In the United States, it has been a consistently used female name with steady popularity over many decades.
Popularity in the United States
37,637 babies in the United States have been named Aileen since 1880. It ranks #718 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #711.
States where it is most popular
- CA (26.3 %)
- NY (12.3 %)
- TX (11.5 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
- PA (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 63 |
| 1890-1900 | 332 |
| 1900-1910 | 818 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,831 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,648 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,157 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,629 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,957 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,308 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,781 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,356 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,258 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,821 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,355 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,323 |
Famous people named Aileen
- Aileen Quinn: Actress, Singer
- Aileen Wuornos: Criminal
Nicknames
Allie, Leena, Lena
Fun facts
- Aileen evolved as an Anglicization of the Irish name Eibhlín, sharing roots with Eileen and Helen.
- The name has been continuously registered in official US birth records every year since at least 1880.