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Aileen

♀ Girl

Pronounced ay-LEEN /eɪˈliːn/High

Meaning: Bright or shining light; the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of Helen or Eileen, from the Greek Helene meaning torch or shining lightHigh

In 30 seconds: Aileen is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of Helen meaning bright shining light, a soft two-syllable name with Gaelic charm that has been used in Scotland and Ireland for centuries and emigrated with their descendants worldwide.
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Origin HighIrish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic
MeaningBright or shining light; the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of Helen or Eileen, from the Greek Helene meaning torch or shining light
U.S. rank (2025)#799 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births340 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 37,633

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200918802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Aileen is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of Eileen, itself an anglicization of the Irish Eibhlin, which adapts the Norman-French Aveline or the English Evelyn. Through a parallel tradition, it also connects to Helena and Helen, from Greek Helene meaning torch or bright light.

Aileen was popular in the United States in the early 20th century, particularly in communities of Irish and Scottish descent. It peaked in the 1930s and has since declined to moderate steady use. It shares space with Eileen, which is more commonly spelled but refers to the same name family.

Did you know? The name Aileen, along with Eileen, represents the Irish adaptation of the Greek name Helen, which arrived in Ireland through Norman and later English influence. The transformation from Helen through Eileen and Aileen shows how names morph through different phonological systems over centuries.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Aileen — Irish Gaelic etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EileenAleenIleneAlene

Nicknames

LeeLeenieAilie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Aileen…

Eileen— the closest alternate spelling of the exact same Irish Gaelic name
Irene— same two-syllable -een ending classic mid-century girls name
Kathleen— shares the Irish Gaelic -een ending and Celtic feminine heritage
Maureen— fellow Irish Gaelic -een name from the same Celtic tradition

Frequently Asked

What does the name Aileen mean?

Aileen means bright or shining light, as the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of Helen, from Greek Helene meaning torch.

How do you pronounce Aileen?

It is said ay-LEEN, two syllables with stress on the second.

Is Aileen an Irish name?

Yes, Aileen is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of the name, used by families of Celtic heritage worldwide.

Is Aileen the same as Eileen?

Aileen and Eileen are variant spellings of the same Irish Gaelic name, both from the same Greek root and with the same meaning.