Ailene is a spelling variant of Aileen, the Irish form of Helen — from the Greek helios meaning sun or light. The Ailene spelling, with the simple -ene ending, was particularly popular in the early twentieth-century United States, peaking in 1926 alongside other vintage Irish-rooted feminine names like Eileen and Aileen. It carries the same ancient Greek light-meaning in a distinctly Irish-American vintage form.
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Root name
The root form of Ailene is
Aileen / Helen — meaning Light, bright.
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Modern usage
Ailene remains a beloved choice. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.
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How popular is Ailene?
1926peak year
Ailene's usage has fallen in recent decades. Today, Ailene is a rare name in U.S. records with about 11 babies named Ailene each year. At its height in 1926, Ailene reached #997 nationally — 56 babies received it that single year. Its strongest stretch was the 1920s. In all, around 2,179 babies have been registered as Ailene since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
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