Kileen is a unique and distinctive name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Irish surname "Ó Ceallacháin," which means "descendant of Ceallachán." The name Ceallachán itself comes from the Old Irish word "ceallach," meaning "strife" or "contention."
The history behind the name Kileen is not well-documented, as it is a relatively rare name. However, it is believed that the Ó Ceallacháin clan was a powerful and influential family in Ireland during medieval times. They were likely associated with the Uí Fiachrach dynasty, which ruled over parts of County Mayo and County Sligo.
Today, Kileen is still a rare name, but it has gained some popularity as a given name for girls in recent years. Its unique sound and Irish origins make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with a rich history. While its meaning "descendant of Ceallachán" may not have much relevance today, the name Kileen continues to evoke images of ancient Irish heritage and culture.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Kileen in the United States from 1960 to 1998. Over this period, there were a total of 118 babies named Kileen.
The most popular years for the name Kileen were 1960 and 1961, with 16 and 14 births respectively. However, after these two peak years, the number of births with the name Kileen began to decline significantly. From 1962 onwards, the annual number of births with this name never exceeded 11 until a small spike in 1990 and 1993, when there were 7 births each year.
Interestingly, after a low point of just 5 births in both 1976 and 1978, the popularity of the name Kileen began to increase again slightly. Between 1985 and 1987, there were 6 births each year, and this trend continued with another spike in 1990 and 1993.
Overall, while the name Kileen was relatively popular during the early 1960s, its popularity has since declined significantly. However, it appears that there has been a small resurgence in recent years, with some fluctuation in the annual number of births with this name.