Eileen Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Eileen is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Eileen?
Eileen is spelled E-I-L-E-E-N. The name has 6 letters.
Eileen at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Eileen is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Eibhlin, which may derive from the Old French Aveline, a name meaning “little bird.”
- Origin
- Eileen is commonly associated with Irish and Scottish origins through the Anglicization of the Gaelic name Eibhlin, which reflects name adaptations…
- Pronunciation
- eye-LEEN · 2 syllables
Eileen Popularity in 2025
Rank#654
Recorded Births437
- Girls usage fell 62 places to #654 and recorded 74 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Eileen Mean?
Eileen is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Eibhlin, which may derive from the Old French Aveline, a name meaning “little bird.”
Origin: Eileen is commonly associated with Irish and Scottish origins through the Anglicization of the Gaelic name Eibhlin, which reflects name adaptations influenced by Old French.
How Do You Pronounce Eileen?
Pronunciationeye-LEEN
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Eileen?
- History
- Eileen has been used in English-speaking countries as an adaptation of Gaelic names and appeared in literature and official records during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Eileen Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 437 | #654 |
| 2024 | Girls | 511 | #592 |
| 2023 | Girls | 444 | #663 |
| 2022 | Girls | 476 | #621 |
| 2021 | Girls | 440 | #671 |
| 2020 | Girls | 401 | #701 |
| 2019 | Girls | 413 | #701 |
| 2018 | Girls | 439 | #669 |
| 2017 | Girls | 421 | #692 |
| 2016 | Girls | 390 | #727 |
| 2015 | Girls | 408 | #697 |
| 2014 | Girls | 391 | #716 |
| 2013 | Girls | 360 | #752 |
| 2012 | Girls | 324 | #829 |
| 2011 | Girls | 369 | #745 |
| 2010 | Girls | 321 | #837 |
| 2009 | Girls | 347 | #814 |
| 2008 | Girls | 386 | #762 |
| 2007 | Girls | 396 | #734 |
| 2006 | Girls | 355 | #777 |
| 2005 | Girls | 381 | #717 |
| 2004 | Girls | 358 | #737 |
| 2003 | Girls | 389 | #677 |
| 2002 | Girls | 380 | #667 |
When Was Eileen Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Girls
4,251 recorded births
National rank #91
1946 · Girls
4,168 recorded births
National rank #80
1943 · Girls
4,092 recorded births
National rank #68
1950 · Girls
3,883 recorded births
National rank #91
Where Eileen Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MA | #353 | 16 |
| NY | #388 | 44 |
| WA | #390 | 18 |
| CA | #413 | 80 |
| NJ | #422 | 18 |
| PA | #515 | 20 |
| IL | #541 | 18 |
| VA | #541 | 14 |