Ilene
Ilene was the 6202nd most popular name for girls in 2025, given to 19 babies. Its best year was 1938, when it ranked 347th; the most babies were born in 1950 (453). Over the last ten years it has moved down 1,951 places. More babies were named Ilene in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Elaine) Old French form of Helen · Greek, French
- Rank in 2025
- #6,202 girls, up 1,150 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 19girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1950453 babies
- Total since 1880
- 17,840babies recorded
What does the name Ilene mean?
Ilene is a spelling of Elaine, pronounced the same way, so it shares Elaine's meaning and origin.
Elaine is an Old French form of Helen. DMNES notes that the popularity of Elaine was driven by the several women of that name in the medieval Arthurian romances, among them the mother of Galahad. Wiktionary adds that a Celtic origin has also been suggested because of the Arthurian setting. Helen itself is Greek and of uncertain meaning.
Ἑλένη (Ancient Greek, “Helen (meaning uncertain)”)
How sure is this? Probable. As a form of Helen it is standard; Helen's own meaning is uncertain, and a Celtic source has been suggested.
Related names: Helen, Elena, Ellen, Elaina, Lainey.
See also: Greek names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Elaine', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources (ed. S. L. Uckelman), Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Ellen', DMNES, Durham University
- Dictionary.com Unabridged (based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary), with Collins English Dictionary, s.v. 'Elaine', Dictionary.com / Random House / HarperCollins
Ilene popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #6,202 | 19 |
| 2020 | #7,352 | 15 |
| 2010 | #3,772 | 41 |
| 2000 | #2,382 | 65 |
| 1990 | #2,184 | 59 |
| 1980 | #1,947 | 55 |
| 1970 | #1,078 | 112 |
| 1960 | #597 | 275 |
| 1950 | #380 | 453 |
| 1940 | #451 | 227 |
| 1930 | #410 | 257 |
| 1920 | #499 | 192 |
| 1910 | #745 | 33 |
| 1900 | #1,643 | 7 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Ilene, counting every spelling?
Ilene is a spelling of Elaine, a name family that ranked #310 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #6,202 for Ilene on its own. Together these spellings went to 1,066 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elaine | 1,007 | #305 | 3,996 |
| Elayne | 40 | #3,732 | 163 |
| Ilene | 19 | #6,202 | 96 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Ilene?
19 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Ilene (0.01 per 1,000 births). For a girl named Ilene born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 439 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Ilene.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Ilene?
About 9,600 people born in the US named Ilene are alive today, with a median age of 68; half are between 51 and 77. That makes Ilene a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Ilene by state
How common Ilene was among girls born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in California (2.5×). In 49 states fewer than five girls a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Ilene: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Ilene, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Ilene
What does Ilene mean?
Ilene is a spelling of Elaine, which means “Old French form of Helen” (Greek, French origin). Certainty: probable.
How popular is the name Ilene?
Ilene was the 6202nd most popular name for girls in 2025, given to 19 babies. Its best year was 1938, when it ranked 347th; the most babies were born in 1950 (453). Over the last ten years it has moved down 1,951 places. More babies were named Ilene in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Ilene a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Ilene in the US.
Where is Ilene most popular?
In 2021–2025, Ilene was most common in California (0.03 per 1,000 girls), followed by Texas and Texas.