Ilene

♀ Girl

Pronounced eye-LEEN /aɪˈlin/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of Eileen/Aileen — an Irish form of Helen, from Greek, 'light; torch; the shining one'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Light; the shining one: Ilene spells Eileen — 'light; the shining one'. Soft, vintage, and warm (said 'eye-LEEN').

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Origin MediumGreek, Irish

MeaningA spelling of Eileen/Aileen — an Irish form of Helen, from Greek, 'light; torch; the shining one'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#5665 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1950

Total births (all-time)≈ 17,822

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

Ilene is a spelling of Eileen/Aileen — an Anglicized Irish form of Helen (via Eibhlín), from Greek Helene, 'light; torch; the shining one' (also linked to Evelyn; routes layered, which we note). A soft, vintage, mid-century name; the I- styling personalizes it (said 'eye-LEEN').

It registers thinly today. Rare now, light-and-shining at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Eileen/Aileen is an Irish form of Helen, 'light; torch; the shining one' (Greek) — Ilene is an I- spelling, soft and vintage (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'eye-LEEN').

Overall data confidence 62%

Behind the Name — Eileen — routes layered

Variations

EileenAileenIlean

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Ilene…

Eileen— the standard spelling

Aileen— a fellow Irish spelling

Arlene— a companion vintage -ene girls' name

Charlene— another vintage -ene girls' name

Explore names like Ilene

By themeuncertain vintage greek irish light

By meaningLight

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ilene mean?

Ilene spells Eileen — an Irish Helen, Greek 'light; the shining one'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ilene?

It's said eye-LEEN /aɪˈlin/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ilene a boy or girl name?

Ilene is a girl's name.

How popular is Ilene?

Ilene is a rare name in the U.S. today.