Eileen

Fact-checked by Jaime Babiera

1. Eileen name meaning and origin

The name Eileen has rich Irish roots, originating as an anglicized form of the Gaelic names Eibhlín and Aibhlin, which itself derives from the name Avelina. These names mean 'desired,' 'little bird,' or 'strength.'

Through the centuries, Eileen has maintained a steady presence in English-speaking countries, experiencing notable popularity surges in the early 1900s or towards the end of the 19th century in America and the United Kingdom. The name carries connotations of light and beauty, reflecting its connection to the Helen name, which is associated with brightness and radiance. This elegant yet approachable name combines historical depth with melodic quality, contributing to its enduring appeal across generations.

Eileen

References:

2. Eileen name popularity

Girl

Boy

in 2023

from 2022

Popularity of Eileen

United States

United Kingdom

Eileen is primarily a feminine name with roots in English-speaking countries. While traditionally associated with women, records indicate it has occasionally been used for males in the United States as well, though this remains uncommon. The name derives from the Irish "Eibhlín," a form of Helen, meaning "light" or "bright one."

Despite its classic appeal, Eileen doesn't appear in recent popularity rankings in either the United States or the United Kingdom. The name enjoyed its greatest popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in usage. Today, Eileen represents a vintage choice that carries traditional charm without being overly common.

3. Eileen in Popular Culture: Characters in Fiction

The name Eileen has been used in various forms of fiction, both in classic literature and present media. A list of some prominent characters bearing the name in fictional works is listed below.

Literature:

Eileen Dunlop

She is the deeply disturbed, resentful, and reclusive protagonist of Ottessa Moshfegh's 2015 novel “Eileen”.

Eileen Codlin

A character in Adam Selzer's fantasy-adventure novel “Extraordinary”, which is set in a world of peculiar abilities.

Eileen Tanaka

She is the 16-year-old Japanese-Australian best friend of the protagonist in the novel “Does My Head Look Big in This?”.

Eileen Prince

She was a pure-blood witch and the neglectful mother of Severus Snape from “The Harry Potter series”.

Films and Television:

Eileen Murphy

She is the major character in the 2013 film “A Madea Christmas”. Her character is known for her judgmental and class-conscious attitude.

Eileen Roberts

A shy but intelligent mole and a major character in the Cartoon Network animated series “Regular Show”.

Eileen Grimshaw

She is a long-running character on the British soap opera “Coronation Street”, who experiences complicated relationships and family life.

Eileen

A supporting character and the representative for the Saticoy Supply Company in the first season of “The Purge” television series.

Eileen

She is a humanoid, cycloptic demon known for her distinct and memorable head from the animated series “The Owl House”.

Eileen

A Filipino-American supporting character and the leader of the Sewer Kids in the Cartoon Network series “Craig of the Creek”.

Video Games:

Eileen the Crow

A non-playable character (NPC) in the PlayStation 4 exclusive action RPG “Bloodborne”, voiced by actress Jacqueline Boatswain.

Eileen

An agile, Monkey-Style Kung Fu user in the “Virtua Fighter” series who debuted in Virtua Fighter 5.

4. Celebrities with the Name Eileen

Aside from fiction, the name Eileen has also been carried by real-life figures in entertainment, sports, and music. From actors to athletes, these celebrities have helped keep the name visible in popular culture.

Historical Figures:

Eileen Gray

An Irish interior designer, furniture designer, and architect who was a pioneer of the Modern Movement

Eileen Gray

Image source: Wikipedia

Eileen Agar

A British painter and photographer associated with the Surrealist movement. Her work frequently explored themes of nature, mythology, and the subconscious.

Eileen Agar

Image source: Wikipedia

Eileen Alannah Joyce

An Australian concert pianist who rose from a childhood of poverty to achieve international acclaim.

Eileen Alannah Joyce

Image source: Wikipedia

Eileen Collins

An American retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force colonel who was the first woman to pilot and command a Space Shuttle mission.

Eileen Shanahan

An American journalist who covered national economic policy for “The New York Times” and was a founding editor of “Governing” magazine.

Eileen Power

A British economic historian and medievalist who was a distinguished scholar and brought history to a wider audience.

Eileen Power

Image source: Wikipedia

Contemporary Celebrities:

Eileen Gu

A Chinese freestyle skier who is an Olympic champion and a fashion model. She has competed in halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air events.

Eileen Davidson

An American actress, reality-TV star, author, and former model known for her roles in soap operas like “The Young and the Restless” and “Days of Our Lives”.

Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas

A Filipino actress and comedian known as the "Queen of Comedy". She is known for her role as Ina Montecillo in the “Ang Tanging Ina” film series.

Eileen Daly

A British actress, director, producer, and singer best known for her roles in numerous cult horror films.

Eileen Atkins

An English actress who has had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film, and television.

5. Variations and nicknames of Eileen

Eileen gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 1900s or towards the end of the 19th century. Its international variants include Aileen, primarily found in Ireland and Scotland. In other European traditions, we find Évelyne and Eveline in French, Eveliina in Finnish, Evelin in Estonian, and Ava in German.

Beyond formal variants, Eileen has inspired a wealth of affectionate nicknames that families have used across generations. The most common nicknames include Eily, Lee, and Lina, which capture the name's lyrical qualities. Some Eileens go by Ei or Nene in childhood, while others embrace Ellie as a diminutive form. More playful options include Lena and Isla. These variations demonstrate how this classic name continues to adapt while maintaining its distinctive charm across different communities and generations.

6. Best name combinations with Eileen

names that pair well with Eileen:

Eileen Grace
Eileen Marie
Eileen Catherine
Eileen Claire
Eileen Vanessa
Eileen Sophia
Eileen Margaret
Eileen Rose
Eileen Elizabeth
Eileen Olivia
Eileen Maeve
Eileen Siobhan
Eileen Fiona
Eileen Brigid
Eileen Janet
Eileen Celeste
Eileen Kiera
Eileen Avery
Eileen Isabelle
Eileen Marjorie
Eleanor Eileen
Amelia Eileen
Katherine Eileen
Sadie Eileen
Hazel Eileen
Mary Eileen
Ana Eileen
Mona Eileen
Sienna Eileen
CeliaEileen
Josephine Eileen
Maura Eileen
Emma Eileen
Paulette Eileen
Kim Eileen
Cecilia Eileen
Claudia Eileen
Fiona Eileen
Tanya Eileen
Maeve Eileen

7. Numerology of Eileen name

Destiny Number (Expression Number):

5
E(5) + I(9) + L(3) + E(5) + E(5) + N(5) = 32 = 3+2 = 5

This Destiny Number 5 indicates you're naturally adaptable and freedom-loving. You thrive in dynamic environments that offer variety and opportunities for change. Career-wise, you excel in fields requiring versatility, communication, and hands-on experiences—such as freelancing, travel, performing, or entrepreneurship. In relationships, you seek partners who respect your independence and who share your sense of adventure.

Soul Urge Number (Heart's Desire):

6
Vowels: E(5) + I(9) + E(5) + E(5) = 24 = 2+4 = 6

With a Soul Urge Number 6, you deeply desire harmony, responsibility, and nurturing connections. You find fulfillment in caring for others and creating beautiful, peaceful environments. You're naturally drawn to relationships where you can express your protective, nurturing nature, and you seek depth and commitment from partners.

Personality Number:

8
Consonants: L(3) + N(5) = 8

Your Personality Number 8 reveals how others perceive you—as confident, ambitious, and business-minded. You project an aura of authority and competence. In professional settings, people see your leadership potential and organizational abilities. In relationships, you're viewed as reliable and capable, someone who can provide stability and structure.

Note: This numerology analysis is just for fun and entertainment purposes. It is not meant to be taken seriously or as a reflection of one’s true personality or destiny. No offense is intended.

8. Names similar to Eileen

Like Eileen ? What about:

Charlette

Hector

Dasha

Danah

Aiden

Ahjin

Bette

Caleb

Noreen

Genya

Caden

Darcy

Charlee

Elise

Savvas

Gottlieb

Ainsley

Elaine

Xanthe

Bernice

Common sibling names

Sisters

Elise

Charlee

Elaine

Sophie

Peggy

Phoebe

Cynthia

Ainsley

Katie

Helen

Lois

Camille

Bronte

Bella

Ella

Carter

Penny

Agnes

Rita

Darcy

Brothers

Luca

Declan

Caden

Carter

Theo

Eli

Aiden

Hector

Stephen

Caleb

Bodie

Tommy

Cayden

Filip

Darcy

Caiden

Steven

Philip

Thaddeus

Phillip

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Jaime Babiera is a team leader at Infinity Web Solutions. As a former research intern at Rappler and contributor of op-ed pieces to the Daily Guardian, he developed expertise in rigorous information verification and published substantive editorial outputs driven by professional integrity and factual accuracy. His body of work reflects a strong commitment to truth, transparency, and excellence, ensuring every piece he releases or project he leads is reliable and compelling.

Eileen