Eileen is a female given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish given name Oileán, which means "island." The name was initially popular in Ireland but has since become widely used throughout the English-speaking world.
The name Eileen gained prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when many Irish immigrants settled in countries like the United States and Canada. During this period, many Irish families anglicized their given names to make them easier for non-Irish speakers to pronounce and understand. As a result, Oileán became Eileen.
In literature, one of the earliest references to the name Eileen appears in W.B. Yeats' poem "The Island of Statues" (1893). However, it wasn't until the publication of James Joyce's novel "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" (1916) that the name gained significant attention outside Ireland. In the novel, the protagonist's mother is named Eileen, which helped to popularize the name in English-speaking countries.
Today, Eileen remains a relatively uncommon given name, but it continues to be used by families of Irish descent and those who appreciate its unique sound and meaning. It has also inspired several variations and related names, such as Ailene, Eilean, and Eilidh (Scottish form). Overall, the name Eileen carries a rich history rooted in Ireland's cultural heritage and literature.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Eilleen has been given to a total of 503 babies born in the United States between the years 1915 and 2018.
The name's popularity varied greatly over time. It had its peak in the early 1960s with 14 births in 1960, followed by 12 births in 1961. However, it quickly declined after that decade, reaching as low as 5 births in both 1967 and 1968.
There was a slight resurgence in the late 1970s to early 1980s with 7 births in 1976, 5 births in 1977, and 11 births in 1983. But overall, the name's popularity has remained relatively low throughout most of the years recorded.
In recent times, between 2004 to 2018, there were a total of 63 births, indicating that while not extremely popular, the name Eilleen still appears occasionally among newborns in the United States.