Aileen

Meaning: Possibly “desire”
Origin: Variant of Eileen, via Irish Eibhlín and Norman French Aveline; possibly linked to Germanic Avi (from Germanic)

Meaning: Possibly “radiance, beauty”
Origin: Irish — Variant of Eileen, also used for Éibhleann, possibly from Old Irish oíph

Girl's name · #799 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Aileen belongs to an older America first — it reached #289 back in 1926 — yet it still appears in today's records at #799. About 38,000 girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Aileen is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 24 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Aileen ranks in other countries and regions.

#416 in Ecuador (2025) · #665 in Switzerland (2025) · #724 in Ireland (2025) · #858 in Mexico (2024) · #1,312 in Austria (2025) · #1,522 in Sweden (2025) · #2,357 in France (2025) · #3,040 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,401 in Canada (2024).

Famous Aileens

Aileen Baviera — Filipino sinologist
Aileen Riggin — American diver, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist (1906–2002)
Aileen Pringle — American actress (1895–1989)
Aileen Quinn — American actress, singer and dancer
Aileen Meagher — Athletics competitor (1910–1987)

In stories & tradition

Aileen Morgan — Homeland (TV series)

What Aileens become

Among 188 notable people named Aileen:

No single standout — notable Aileens spread across many fields.

Spellings & nicknames

Together with its spelling variant Ayleen (#863), Aileen would rank around #473 with about 650 births last year — the newborns split about 52/48 between Aileen and Ayleen.

Similar names: Ayleen · Greta · Aila · Gloria · Rosalyn · Carolyn

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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