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Aileen Girl

Popularity: #580 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationAY-leen / /eɪˈliːn/

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 Old French Aveline itself comes from the Latin word 'avellana,' which also refers to the hazelnut tree. The transition from Eibhlín to Aileen occurred through the influence of the English language, particularly during the periods of Norman and later English rule in Ireland, where names were often anglicized for ease of pronunciation and integration into English-speaking contexts.

Historically, the name Eibhlín has been associated with various notable figures in Irish literature and folklore, particularly in the medieval era. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, with Eibhlín being used in various texts and stories. The name gained further prominence through its association with Saint Ailbhe, an early Irish saint, and has been featured in numerous literary works throughout the centuries, including the writings of Irish poets and playwrights.

Culturally, Aileen has been embraced in various forms across different regions, often symbolizing beauty and grace, reflective of its meanings related to nature. The name has also been linked to themes of femininity and strength in Irish folklore, where characters bearing the name often embody resilience and virtue. A diminutive form, Ailín, has also been used historically, showcasing the name's adaptability and enduring appeal in Irish culture. Overall, Aileen's journey through linguistic evolution and cultural significance illustrates its deep roots in both Irish heritage and broader European naming traditions.

Trend Summary

Aileen has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable rise in the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ailín
  • Eileen

International Variants

  • Ailín (Irish)
  • Eileen (English)
  • Ailene (English)

Famous people named Aileen

Aileen Wuornos was a serial killer best known for her crimes in Florida during the 1990s, which inspired the film Monster.

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

Aileen O'Sullivan is a writer best known for her contributions to Irish literature and culture.

Fictional characters named Aileen

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Aileen was first seen in the United States in 1880. Aileen has ranked as high as #751 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)

Top States for Aileen (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 100
29%
TX 92
27%
NY 21
6%
IL 20
6%
NJ 18
5%
AZ 12
4%
FL 12
4%
WA 11
3%
GA 8
2%
CO 8
2%
UT 6
2%
OH 6
2%
OK 5
1%
SC 5
1%
MD 5
1%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18806
18838
188410
18867
18878
188810
188914
189013
189114
189218
189329
189440
189540
189637
189744
189848
189949
190067
190173
190286
190363
190489
190567
190699
190772
190899
1909103
1910123
1911150
1912192
1913231
1914298
1915390
1916354
1917365
1918357
1919371
1920457
1921454
1922453
1923420
1924521
1925503
1926534
1927463
1928487
1929356
1930343
1931286
1932292
1933228
1934212
1935174
1936190
1937157
1938144
1939131
1940136
1941118
1942136
1943209
1944166
1945150
1946185
1947199
1948180
1949150
1950160
1951212
1952184
1953218
1954188
1955208
1956178
1957190
1958203
1959215
1960229
1961242
1962245
1963217
1964248
1965254
1966211
1967210
1968210
1969242
1970238
1971192
1972195
1973189
1974190
1975169
1976148
1977152
1978159
1979149
1980212
1981211
1982214
1983254
1984265
1985237
1986252
1987217
1988256
1989238
1990230
1991254
1992254
1993277
1994247
1995235
1996303
1997441
1998525
1999492
2000501
2001550
2002505
2003526
2004567
2005633
2006558
2007645
2008650
2009685
2010645
2011633
2012603
2013479
2014541
2015609
2016500
2017456
2018436
2019452
2020404
2021429
2022407
2023352
2024390