Name meaning & originEilís
/EYE-leesh/
Eilís is an Irish Gaelic girl's name pronounced /EYE-leesh/. The elegant Irish form of Elizabeth, signifying that God is my oath.
Share this name
Meaning of Eilís
The elegant Irish form of Elizabeth, signifying that God is my oath.
Eilís is the Irish Gaelic equivalent of the name Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew 'Elisheva' meaning 'God is my oath'. It gained prominence in Ireland following the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, evolving from the Old French form Aelis.
- Origin
- Irish Gaelic
- Pronunciation
- /EYE-leesh/
Cultural background
While historically widespread, Eilís remains a popular choice in Ireland today, particularly among families seeking a traditional name that bridges Irish heritage with a globally recognized biblical root.
Variations & nicknames
- Eilish
- Eyleen
- Elizabeth
- Eilíse
- Lish
Famous people named Eilís
Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.
Billie Eilish
Global pop superstar whose middle name is Eilish, the phonetic spelling of Eilís.
Music · 2010s-present
Eilís Dillon
Prolific Irish author known for children's literature and historical fiction.
Literature · 1920-1994
Eilís Lacey
The central protagonist of Colm Tóibín’s novel and film adaptation 'Brooklyn'.
Literature/Film · 1950s (fictional)
Eilís Ní Dhuibhne
Acclaimed Irish novelist and short story writer who writes in both Irish and English.
Literature · 1970s-present
Frequently asked about Eilís
- What does Eilís mean?
- Eilís is the Irish form of Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath' or 'pledged to God'.
- How do you pronounce Eilís?
- It is typically pronounced 'EYE-leesh' or 'AY-leesh', depending on regional Irish dialects.
- Is Eilís a boy or girl name?
- Eilís is a female name and is the traditional Irish Gaelic version of the girl's name Elizabeth.
Love Eilís? Get more names like it
We'll email you 5 fresh Irish Gaelic names each week — free, no spam.
By signing up you agree to get these name emails. We use your email only for them; unsubscribe any time from privacy requests. See our privacy policy. 18+ only.
Compare Eilís with…
Side-by-side meaning, sound and popularity.
More Irish Gaelic names
See all Irish Gaelic names- Damhnait/DEV-nat/
A traditional name meaning little fawn, symbolizing grace and gentleness.
- Aoibhe/EE-va/
Derived from the word for beauty or radiance, it signifies a person of great joy and light.
- Eadhra/EY-ra/
An ancient and rare name that carries the meaning of time or a specific period.
- OonaÚna/OO-na/
Commonly associated with the word 'uan', this sweet name means a little lamb.
- Cian/KEE-an/
A storied name meaning ancient or enduring, rooted in Irish mythology.
- Cormac/KOR-mak/
An ancient royal name that signifies a son of defilement or a charioteer.
- Dearbhla/DER-vla/
A traditional name meaning daughter of a poet, celebrating a heritage of creativity and art.
- Gráinne/GRAWN-ya/
A storied name from Irish mythology likely meaning grain or sun, famously borne by a legendary princess.