Aileen Girl

Popularity: #618 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AY-leen //eɪˈliːn//

Origin: Irish; Scottish

Meaning: Irish: bright, shining; Scottish: little bird

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Aileen has its roots in the Irish name Eibhlín, which is derived from the Old French name Aveline, meaning 'hazelnut.' The etymological journey begins with the Latin word 'avellana,' which refers to the hazel tree. The name Eibhlín was introduced to the English-speaking world through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, as many Irish names were adapted into forms that were more palatable to English speakers.

Over time, Aileen emerged as a variant of Eibhlín, gaining traction in the English language, particularly in the 19th century when Irish names became more widely recognized and appreciated outside of Ireland. Historically, the name Aileen has been associated with various figures in Irish folklore and literature.

One notable reference is the character Aileen in the Irish ballad "Aileen Aroon," which dates back to the 17th century and reflects themes of love and longing. The name has also been linked to several saints, particularly Saint Eibhlín, who is venerated in Ireland.

The spread of Christianity in Ireland during the early medieval period played a significant role in the adoption and adaptation of names like Eibhlín and its derivatives, including Aileen. Culturally, Aileen carries connotations of beauty and delicacy, often associated with the hazelnut, which has been a symbol of wisdom and inspiration in various traditions.

The name's lyrical quality and historical significance have contributed to its enduring appeal. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Ailbhe have been used in Irish contexts, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry.

Overall, Aileen reflects a blend of linguistic evolution, historical resonance, and cultural symbolism that underscores its place in the broader narrative of names derived from Irish heritage.

Famous people named Aileen

In this section, you will find notable people named Aileen. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Aileen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Aileen who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Aileen Wuornos was a serial killer best known for her crimes in Florida during the early 1990s.

Aileen Fisher was an author best known for her children's books and poetry.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Aileen, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AvaElenaIslaLilaMayaNina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Aileen. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AdelineEvelynCelineAlyssaKailynRaelynSeleneMarlene

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Aileen was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Aileen has ranked as high as #877 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Aileen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Aileen is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Aileen was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Aileen.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 340 0 340
2024 391 0 391
2023 352 0 352
2022 407 0 407
2021 429 0 429
2020 404 0 404
2019 452 0 452
2018 437 0 437
2017 456 0 456
2016 500 0 500
2015 609 0 609
2014 541 0 541
2013 479 0 479
2012 603 0 603
2011 638 5 633
2010 645 0 645
2009 685 0 685
2008 650 0 650
2007 645 0 645
2006 558 0 558
2005 633 0 633
2004 568 0 568
2003 526 0 526
2002 505 0 505
2001 550 0 550
2000 501 0 501
1999 492 0 492
1998 525 0 525
1997 441 0 441
1996 303 0 303
1995 235 0 235
1994 247 0 247
1993 277 0 277
1992 254 0 254
1991 254 0 254
1990 230 0 230
1989 238 0 238
1988 256 0 256
1987 217 0 217
1986 252 0 252
1985 237 0 237
1984 265 0 265
1983 254 0 254
1982 214 0 214
1981 211 0 211
1980 212 0 212
1979 149 0 149
1978 159 0 159
1977 152 0 152
1976 148 0 148
1975 169 0 169
1974 190 0 190
1973 189 0 189
1972 195 0 195
1971 192 0 192
1970 238 0 238
1969 242 0 242
1968 210 0 210
1967 210 0 210
1966 211 0 211
1965 254 0 254
1964 248 0 248
1963 217 0 217
1962 245 0 245
1961 242 0 242
1960 229 0 229
1959 215 0 215
1958 203 0 203
1957 190 0 190
1956 179 0 179
1955 208 0 208
1954 188 0 188
1953 218 0 218
1952 184 0 184
1951 212 0 212
1950 160 0 160
1949 150 0 150
1948 180 0 180
1947 199 0 199
1946 185 0 185
1945 150 0 150
1944 166 0 166
1943 209 0 209
1942 136 0 136
1941 118 0 118
1940 136 0 136
1939 131 0 131
1938 144 0 144
1937 157 0 157
1936 190 0 190
1935 174 0 174
1934 212 0 212
1933 228 0 228
1932 292 0 292
1931 286 0 286
1930 343 0 343
1929 356 0 356
1928 487 0 487
1927 463 0 463
1926 534 0 534
1925 503 0 503
1924 521 0 521
1923 420 0 420
1922 453 0 453
1921 454 0 454
1920 457 0 457
1919 371 0 371
1918 357 0 357
1917 365 0 365
1916 354 0 354
1915 390 0 390
1914 298 0 298
1913 231 0 231
1912 192 0 192
1911 150 0 150
1910 123 0 123
1909 103 0 103
1908 99 0 99
1907 72 0 72
1906 99 0 99
1905 67 0 67
1904 89 0 89
1903 63 0 63
1902 86 0 86
1901 73 0 73
1900 67 0 67
1899 49 0 49
1898 48 0 48
1897 44 0 44
1896 37 0 37
1895 40 0 40
1894 40 0 40
1893 29 0 29
1892 18 0 18
1891 14 0 14
1890 13 0 13
1889 14 0 14
1888 10 0 10
1887 8 0 8
1886 7 0 7
1884 10 0 10
1883 8 0 8
1880 6 0 6

Top States for Aileen (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 100
29%
TX 92
27%
NY 21
6%
IL 20
6%
NJ 18
5%
AZ 12
3%
FL 12
3%
WA 11
3%
CO 8
2%
GA 8
2%
UT 6
2%
OH 6
2%
SC 5
1%
MD 5
1%
NC 5
1%
NV 5
1%
MI 5
1%
OK 5
1%