Entry № 0067 · Scottish, Irish origin

Aileen Aileen — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ AY-leen /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Scottish, Irish
Meaning
"Bright, shining (Scottish Helen)"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Medieval (Scottish)

A name that means "bright, shining (scottish helen)".

Aileen is the Scottish and Irish form of Helen — from the Greek helios (sun), meaning "bright" or "shining." Also linked to the Old German Adelina (noble).

Aileen Hernandez (1926-2017) was the American civil rights leader. Aileen Wuornos (1956-2002) was the convicted American serial killer.

Bright. The Scottish Helen.

The name in its native script.

Aileen
Transliteration
Aileen
Pronunciation
/ ˈeɪ.liːn /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Aileen stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 0 in 0
Babies named Aileen · last year
142 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · — NOW · —

Aileens before her.

Real people
Aileen Hernandez
American civil rights leader.
1926 – 2017
In fiction
Aileen
Common in Scottish fiction.

Names connected to Aileen.

The number behind Aileen.

5

The Free Spirit

Aileen reduces to five — the number of Scottish Helen.

Why families chose this name.

"Scottish Helen. Six letters. Aileen."
Fiona · Mother of one · Edinburgh