The story behind Eileen
From Anglicized forms of Irish Eibhlín, Eilín or Aibhilín in Middle English and Modern English, all cognates of Evelyn from Old French Aveline. Sometimes also used for the Irish name Éibhleann, possibly from Old Irish oíph (“radiance, beauty”).
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Spanish entry
Unadapted borrowing from English Eileen, from Irish Eibhlín, Eilín and Aibhilín.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /aɪˈliːn/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: /ˈaɪliːn/
- Spanish: /aiˈlin/
- Spanish: [ai̯ˈlĩn]
Popularity
Eileen ranked #654 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Eileen
Éamann
From Middle Irish Éadmonn, from Old English Ēadmund, from Proto-West Germanic *Audamundu, from Proto-Germanic *Audamunduz.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Eamon
Borrowed from Irish Éamann (“Edmund”). Doublet of Edmund.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Edvin
From English Edwin, from Old English Ēadwine. Borrowed from English Edwin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Edwin
Inherited from Old English Ēadwine, from Proto-West Germanic *Audawini, from Proto-Germanic *Audawiniz. Akin to Old Norse Auðun, Icelandic Auðunn, German Otwin, Norwegian…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ellen
Medieval English variant of Helen, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē); also used as a variant of Eleanor or a feminine counterpart to Elliot. Variant of Elina, perhaps from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Evan
Anglicization of Welsh Ifan, ultimately from Latin Jōhannēs, variant of Iōannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (yōḥānān, yokhanán, literally “God is…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Eileen
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Agnes
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ), coming from Ancient Greek ἁγνός (hagnós, “pure, chaste”), Ancient Greek ἁγνεία (hagneía, “purity, chastity”). Doublet of Inez.…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Eileen
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length