Aileen is a unique and beautiful feminine given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó'Maoilín, which was originally a patronymic name meaning "descendant of Maoilín". Maoilín itself was an ancient Irish personal name that means "devoted to St. John".
The name Aileen has been used as a given name since the 19th century, and it became more popular in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century. Today, it is considered a classic and elegant choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet timeless name for their baby girl.
In Irish Gaelic, Aileen is pronounced approximately as "AY-lin" or "AH-leen". The name has also gained popularity in Scottish Gaelic, where it is spelled Àilidh. In both languages, the name carries the same meaning of being devoted to St. John.
While Aileen may not be one of the most common names today, it has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. Some famous bearers of this name include Irish writer and suffragette Aileen Sullivan (1893-1952), Scottish actress Àilidh Shaw (born 1979), and American singer-songwriter Aimee Mann (born 1960, whose birth name was Aileen Manning).
In summary, Aileen is a unique and elegant feminine given name of Irish origin that means "devoted to St. John". With its timeless charm and distinctive sound, it makes for an excellent choice for parents seeking a classic yet uncommon name for their baby girl.
The name Aileen has a rich history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over time. Between 1880 and 2023, there have been a total of 36,901 births recorded for the name Aileen.
In the late 19th century, the name Aileen was quite rare, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1880 and 1892. However, its popularity began to grow in the early 1890s, with a notable increase to 29 births in 1893. This upward trend continued throughout the 1890s, peaking at 67 births in 1900.
The first decade of the 20th century saw a further rise in popularity for the name Aileen, with over 100 births per year recorded between 1902 and 1910. This period also marked the beginning of significant fluctuations in its usage. For instance, there were 150 births in 1911, but this number nearly doubled to 231 births in 1913.
The early to mid-20th century was a time of significant growth for the name Aileen, with consistently high numbers of births recorded each year. This period saw its peak popularity, with over 450 births per year between 1920 and 1922, and again in 1946 and 1947.
However, from the late 1940s onwards, the popularity of the name Aileen began to decline. This trend was particularly notable in the 1950s and 1960s, with fewer than 200 births per year recorded each year between 1957 and 1972.
Despite this decline, the name Aileen maintained a consistent level of usage throughout much of the latter half of the 20th century. However, its popularity has seen further declines in recent years, with fewer than 400 births per year recorded since 2015.
Nevertheless, the name Aileen continues to be used today, with 351 births recorded in 2023. This longevity is a testament to the enduring appeal of this unique and distinctive name.