Given name
Ilene
“the light-bearer; from the green meadow”
Ilene is a variant of Ilena. In English use, Ilena carries the interpretation “the light-bearer; from the green meadow.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Ilene is a variant of Ilena. In English use, Ilena carries the interpretation “the light-bearer; from the green meadow.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1891. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Ilene through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 17,840
- 0 boys · 17,840 girls
- Most popular year
- 1950
- 453 babies
- 2025
- 19
- #6,202 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −2%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 19 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 6,202 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 2.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 453 in 1950. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 11,080 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Ilene
- Ilene WoodsAmerican actress and singer (1926-2010)1929–2010
- Ilene GraffAmerican actress (1949-)
- Ilene ChaikenAmerican television director, producer and writer (born 1957)
- Ilene HamannSouth African actressborn 1984
- Ilene KristenAmerican actressborn 1952
- Ilene BeckermanAmerican journalistborn 1935
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Ilene, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Irvina
“friend of the sea”
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Harlene
“from the meadow of the hares”
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Cherry
“resembling a fruit-bearing tree”
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Rosetta
“horse” · “fame”
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Rosette
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“of the white moon”
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Lorette
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
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Marita
“star of the sea” · “from the sea of bitterness”
>99% girls