Irelyn is a unique and elegant given name of Irish origin. Its meaning is derived from the combination of two Irish names: "Irial," which means "king" or "ruler," and "Eileen," which means "beautiful, shining one." Thus, Irelyn can be interpreted as "beautiful ruler."
The name Irelyn is not well-documented in historical records, suggesting that it might be a more recent invention. However, the names Irial and Eileen have rich histories in Irish culture. Irial was the name of a mythical king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race in Irish mythology, while Eileen has been used as a female given name for centuries.
Irelyn is not particularly popular, which contributes to its uniqueness. According to data from the Social Security Administration, there have been fewer than five girls named Irelyn born each year in the United States since 2008, when records began being kept electronically. This scarcity of usage may appeal to parents who wish to give their child a distinctive name.
In summary, Irelyn is an Irish-derived given name with a beautiful and powerful meaning. Its rarity makes it a standout choice for those seeking a unique name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Irelyn has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States.
From 1996 to 2008, the number of births with the name Irelyn remained relatively low, ranging from 7 to 176 births per year. However, starting in 2009, there was a notable surge in the usage of this name, with over 93 births that year. This trend continued, reaching a peak of 1516 total births between 2009 and 2023.
It is worth noting that while Irelyn's popularity fluctuated during the early years, it has consistently remained in the hundreds since 2009. The most recent data from 2022 and 2023 shows a slight decrease in popularity, with 45 and 44 births respectively.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Irelyn has become more common and widely used over time in the United States, with a particularly significant increase since 2009.