Eilleen Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AY-leen /ˈeɪliːn/
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: bright, shining; English: variant of Eileen
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Eilleen is derived from the Irish name Eibhlín, which itself is a variant of the Old French name Aveline, meaning 'hazelnut'. The etymological journey begins with the Latin word 'avellana', which also refers to the hazelnut, and traces through Old French before reaching the Irish adaptation.
This transition highlights the influence of Norman culture on the Irish language and naming conventions following the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. The name Eibhlín has been used in Ireland since at least the medieval period, reflecting a blend of Gaelic and Norman elements in Irish naming practices.
Historically, the name Eibhlín has been associated with notable figures in Irish literature and folklore. One of the most famous bearers of the name is Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill, a 18th-century poet known for her poignant works, particularly the lament for her husband, which has become a significant piece in the canon of Irish poetry.
The name has also appeared in various forms in literature and has been used by several saints, contributing to its cultural resonance within Irish heritage. The name Eilleen, as an Anglicized form, reflects the broader trend of adapting Irish names for English speakers, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries.
This adaptation often involved phonetic changes to make the names more accessible to English speakers while retaining their original meanings and cultural significance. The enduring appeal of names like Eilleen can be attributed to their connections to nature, heritage, and the rich tapestry of Irish history, symbolizing strength and resilience in the face of change.
Famous people named Eilleen
In this section, you will find notable people named Eilleen. 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 Eilleen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Eilleen 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.
Eilleen Shania Twain is a singer and songwriter best known for The Woman in Me, Come On Over, and Up!.
Eilleen Ford is a model and businesswoman best known for founding Ford Models.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Eilleen, 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 Eilleen. 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 Eilleen was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Eilleen has ranked as high as #824 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in California, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Eilleen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Eilleen 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 Eilleen was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Eilleen (2001)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
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 Eilleen.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1981 | 7 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1963 | 7 |
| 1962 | 9 |
| 1961 | 12 |
| 1960 | 14 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1958 | 5 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1954 | 6 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1951 | 8 |
| 1950 | 6 |
| 1949 | 7 |
| 1948 | 7 |
| 1947 | 11 |
| 1944 | 12 |
| 1943 | 9 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1940 | 6 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1938 | 7 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1936 | 6 |
| 1932 | 9 |
| 1931 | 6 |
| 1930 | 9 |
| 1929 | 11 |
| 1928 | 12 |
| 1927 | 8 |
| 1926 | 10 |
| 1925 | 9 |
| 1924 | 15 |
| 1923 | 9 |
| 1922 | 10 |
| 1921 | 10 |
| 1920 | 11 |
| 1919 | 12 |
| 1918 | 12 |
| 1917 | 11 |
| 1916 | 16 |
| 1915 | 5 |