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Name Origin

Eileen is a feminine given name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ailíng. It means 'light' or 'bright one'.

irishgaelicfemininelightbright

Famous People

Eileen Farrell (1920-2002)

Opera singer

  • Acclaimed soprano known for her powerful voice and wide vocal range.
  • Performed at major opera houses worldwide.

Eileen Brennan (1932-2013)

Actress

  • Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Private Benjamin".
  • Appeared in numerous films and television shows.

Eileen Atkins (1934-)

Actress, screenwriter, and director

  • Highly respected stage and screen actress with a career spanning over six decades.
  • Won numerous awards including Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and Olivier Awards.

Eileen Gray (1878-1976)

Architect and furniture designer

  • Pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture.
  • Created iconic designs such as the E-1027 house and the Bibendum chair.

Eileen Myles (1949-)

Poet, novelist, and memoirist

  • Known for their groundbreaking work in queer literature
  • Published several acclaimed poetry collections, including 'Inferno' (1987) and 'Chelsea Girls' (1994)

Eileen Collins (1956-)

Astronaut, Air Force colonel

  • First woman to pilot a Space Shuttle
  • Commanded Space Shuttle missions STS-93 and STS-114

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