The history of Aileen

Aileen is the name my father picked from a baby book in the 80's he said it appealed to him since it was not the usual names and he wanted it to be unique. Thus finding my soul and pulling me into this world. What is in a name or the origin of the name. Names change as they are spoken in each language, but we forget that and just stick to our name. I am ok most of the time being called by different versions of my name, for thai people my name aileen goes to aireen, and some salvadorans alter my name to arilee. I have only one aunt who keeps calling me Aileena, not sure why the extra "a". Either way it is interesting. Then there is the meaning behind the name, are they the same in each language or do they vary? Then have there been important people with this name, or has this name been important at one point in history?

Aileen a name I wasn't always found of only because I couldn't find name plates or keychains with my name, it made me feel lonely and not special and an outsider to the world of names. But as i grew and had classes with several people with the same name, I felt unique and happy to not be part cookie cutter names.

Origins, Variations & Meanings:
The name Aileen is:
- of the greek name Helen.
- an Irish name. It means light, or the light bearer. From the name Eibhlin.
- a Scottish name and it means green meadow, the other variation is Eileen.
- French version of Aveline
- German version is Avila or Aveza.
- Dutch version is Eveline
- Finish version is Eveliina
- Italian version is Evelina
- Swedish version is Evelina

I could only find these differences, they seem to be the most common and a few harder to find. The name seems to only stay associated with light but in Scotland it means green meadow. On a random find I did find this According to sheknows.com

SoulUrge Number: 2People with this name have a deep inner desire for love and companionship, and want to work with others to achieve peace and harmony.
Expression Number: 1People with this name tend to initiate events, to be leaders rather than followers, with powerful personalities. They tend to be focused on specific goals, experience a wealth of creative new ideas, and have the ability to implement these ideas with efficiency and determination. They tend to be courageous and sometimes aggressive. As unique, creative individuals, they tend to resent authority, and are sometimes stubborn, proud, and impatient.

I have had the chance to meet a few other Aileen's in person and they were all creative people, quite fascinating to think a name could be linked to what we like or have a passion for as well. The Aileen's I have met online as well had creative outlets.

Important people named Aileen:
Aileen Pringle was a highly successful and popular stage and film actress during the silent film era.

Aileen Quinn is an American actress who played the title role in the 1982 film version of Annie.

Aileen Stanley was a United States popular singer. Stanley performed on vaudeville and in cabarets. In 1920 she made a hit in New York City in the review show "Silks And Satins".

Aileen Aletha Meagher was a Canadian athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.

Aileen Paterson is a Scottish writer and illustrator, best known for her series of children's books about Maisie the kitten.

Aileen Britton was an Australian actress that made her acting debut in Tall Timbers in 1937. She then worked on stage until the reemergence of Australian cinema in the mid-1970s.

Professor Aileen Plant was a leading Australian infectious diseases epidemiologist.

Aileen Mary Fox (née Henderson) was one of the first women to work as a professional archaeologist in the UK.

Aileen Raymond was a British stage actress.

Aileen Fisher is a prominent writer for children. Her works appear in many texts across the globe.

Aileen Tan is a versatile actress in Singapore. Because of her age, Singaporeans seldom see her on television nowadays.

Aileen Riggin Soule was an American Olympic gold medalist swimmer and diver.

Aileen Wornoos serial killer

Plenty more at famous Aileen's here


Songs:
“Come on Eileen” is the most known one and the one my 3rd grade teacher sand each time she called my name.
There are a few other songs with the title "Aileen" here


Books:
Aileen’s Song


With these many Aileen's you would think I could find a keychain with my name one it, maybe 2015 will be the year I find one!