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Eileene
How to Pronounce Eileene
Pronounced eye-LEEN /aɪˈliːn/Medium
Meaning: Eileene is an ornate spelling of Eileen, the anglicized Irish form of Eibhlin, itself linked to Helen, from Greek and traditionally read as 'light' or 'shining one'. The extra e simply lengthens the familiar name.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Eileene is an elaborated spelling of Eileen, the anglicized form of the Irish Eibhlin, ultimately tied to Helen, from Greek and long read as 'light' or 'the shining one'. Eileen was popular in the early twentieth century, and ornamented spellings like Eileene appeared beside it.
This spelling was always scarce, running at a few dozen girls a year with a faint peak around 1925 and a thin trail lasting for decades. Eileene reads as a fancified period version of Eileen and has not resurfaced, though Eileen itself gets an occasional vintage nod.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Eileene mean?
Eileene is a spelling of Eileen, the Irish form of Helen, meaning 'light' or 'shining one'.
How do you pronounce Eileene?
It's said eye-LEEN /aɪˈliːn/ - two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Eileene a boy or girl name?
Eileene is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Eileene?
Eileene has always been rare, an ornate spelling of the more common Eileen.