Eilis Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AY-lish /ˈeɪlɪʃ/
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Irish: pledged to God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Eilis is of Irish origin, derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means "God is my oath." The name passed through various linguistic transformations, first appearing in Greek as Elisabet, then into Latin as Elisabetha, and subsequently into Old French as Élisabeth. This evolution reflects the name's journey through different cultures and languages before it was adopted into Irish as Eilis, where it has been embraced as a distinct form of Elizabeth.
Historically, the name Eilis has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most significant is Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, who lived in the 13th century and was known for her charitable works and dedication to the poor.
Her legacy contributed to the name's popularity among Christians, particularly in medieval Europe. The name also appears in various historical texts and religious documents, including the King James Bible, where the name Elizabeth is mentioned in the context of the mother of John the Baptist, further solidifying its importance in Christian tradition.
Culturally, Eilis carries connotations of faithfulness and devotion, resonating with its meaning related to oaths and promises. The name has been celebrated in Irish literature and folklore, often embodying qualities of strength and resilience.
Eilis is sometimes used as a diminutive or affectionate form of Elizabeth, reflecting a personal and intimate connection to the name. Its enduring presence in Irish culture highlights the significance of names in conveying heritage and identity.
Famous people named Eilis
In this section, you will find notable people named Eilis. 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 Eilis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Eilis 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.
Eilis O'Neill is a writer best known for her contributions to contemporary literature and her novel 'The Last Days of the Romanov Daughters'.
Eilis Hennessy is a musician best known for her work with the band The Hennessy Sisters and her solo performances.
Fictional characters named Eilis
The following list of fictional characters named Eilis is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Eilis Lacey is a fictional character from the novel and film Brooklyn. She is a young Irish woman who emigrates to America in search of a better life and faces challenges of identity and belonging.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Eilis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Eilis. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Eilis was first seen in the United States in 1990.
Eilis has ranked as high as #1359 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Eilis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Eilis 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 Eilis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Eilis
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Eilis.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1999 | 9 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1994 | 7 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |