Elaine Name Meaning

The name Elaine means “light” or “bright one.” It is also associated with the Greek name Helen, meaning “shining light.”

Origins of the Name Elaine

Elaine is a name of Old French origin, derived from the name “Helen.” The name Elaine was popularized by the Arthurian legend of Lancelot and Elaine. In the story, Elaine was the daughter of King Pelles and the mother of Galahad, a knight of the Round Table.

Popularity of the Name Elaine

Elaine was a popular name in the early 20th century, ranking in the top 100 names for girls in the United States from the 1920s to the 1950s. It has since declined in popularity, but still remains a classic and timeless name.

Elaine is the name of several characters in popular culture, including Elaine Benes from the TV show “Seinfeld” and Elaine Tyler May, a historian and feminist scholar. The song “Elaine” by the Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty was a hit in the 1970s.

Final Thoughts on the Name Elaine

In conclusion, the name Elaine has a rich history and origin, with a meaning that symbolizes light and brightness. Although it has declined in popularity, it remains a timeless and classic choice for parents looking for a girl’s name.

Infographic of Elaine name meaning, which is “She shines in beauty,” a variant form of Helen, which see. Elaine is the name of several women in fiction, as Elaine of Astolat who loved Sir Lancelot, and Elaine the mother of Sir Galahad.
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Elaine Name Popularity

How popular is the name Elaine? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 136 0.0386%
1911 — 140 0.0376%
1912 — 266 0.0527%
1913 — 355 0.0626%
1914 — 537 0.0771%
1915 — 1,193 0.1313%
1916 — 1,215 0.1258%
1917 — 1,258 0.1257%
1918 — 1,458 0.1359%
1919 — 1,674 0.1599%
1920 — 2,420 0.2177%
1921 — 2,915 0.2546%
1922 — 2,787 0.2502%
1923 — 3,200 0.2857%
1924 — 3,795 0.3268%
1925 — 3,772 0.3337%
1926 — 3,997 0.3634%
1927 — 4,092 0.3697%
1928 — 4,002 0.374%
1929 — 3,846 0.3713%
1930 — 3,931 0.3763%
1931 — 3,618 0.3666%
1932 — 3,558 0.3601%
1933 — 3,562 0.3823%
1934 — 3,891 0.4025%
1935 — 4,075 0.4193%
1936 — 4,251 0.4413%
1937 — 4,525 0.4592%
1938 — 4,829 0.4717%
1939 — 4,782 0.4701%
1940 — 4,780 0.4497%
1941 — 5,371 0.4772%
1942 — 5,983 0.4738%
1943 — 5,965 0.4569%
1944 — 5,622 0.4536%
1945 — 5,882 0.4823%
1946 — 6,797 0.4606%
1947 — 7,060 0.4229%
1948 — 6,396 0.4007%
1949 — 6,217 0.3865%
1950 — 6,033 0.3747%
1951 — 6,066 0.3578%
1952 — 5,646 0.3234%
1953 — 5,494 0.3104%
1954 — 5,818 0.3183%
1955 — 5,638 0.3065%
1956 — 5,307 0.281%
1957 — 5,010 0.2604%
1958 — 4,743 0.251%
1959 — 4,453 0.2344%
1960 — 4,315 0.2277%
1961 — 3,866 0.2048%
1962 — 3,614 0.1969%
1963 — 3,113 0.1734%
1964 — 2,819 0.1602%
1965 — 2,492 0.1524%
1966 — 2,048 0.1312%
1967 — 1,759 0.1159%
1968 — 1,696 0.1129%
1969 — 1,660 0.1078%
1970 — 1,417 0.089%
1971 — 1,264 0.0841%
1972 — 1,045 0.0767%
1973 — 970 0.0748%
1974 — 914 0.0703%
1975 — 822 0.064%
1976 — 739 0.0573%
1977 — 825 0.0612%
1978 — 717 0.0533%
1979 — 744 0.0528%
1980 — 734 0.0502%
1981 — 742 0.0505%
1982 — 737 0.0493%
1983 — 747 0.0506%
1984 — 570 0.0383%
1985 — 605 0.0399%
1986 — 614 0.0407%
1987 — 633 0.0415%
1988 — 659 0.0423%
1989 — 624 0.0387%
1990 — 590 0.0356%
1991 — 559 0.0343%
1992 — 558 0.035%
1993 — 516 0.0331%
1994 — 505 0.0329%
1995 — 486 0.0322%
1996 — 475 0.0317%
1997 — 396 0.0268%
1998 — 452 0.0302%
1999 — 395 0.0264%
2000 — 414 0.0271%
2001 — 362 0.024%
2002 — 348 0.0232%
2003 — 369 0.0243%
2004 — 361 0.0237%
2005 — 427 0.0279%
2006 — 335 0.0214%
2007 — 372 0.0236%
2008 — 349 0.0226%
2009 — 318 0.0213%
2010 — 297 0.0206%
2011 — 352 0.0247%
2012 — 356 0.025%
2013 — 297 0.0209%
2014 — 397 0.0272%
2015 — 386 0.0265%
2016 — 459 0.0318%
2017 — 474 0.034%
2018 — 418 0.0304%
2019 — 507 0.0375%
2020 — 522 0.041%
2021 — 567 0.0464%
2022 — 632 0.0479%
2023 — 769 0.0594%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Elaine

If you like Elaine, you’ll love these other names like Elaine.

What names are variants of Elaine?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Elaine.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Alaina

Little rock

French

Alayna

Little rock

English

Alayne

Precious; precious; awakening; sun ray, shining light

Polynesian

Allaine

Precious; sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elaene

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elaina

Shining light

Greek

Elaini

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elana

Tree

Hebrew

Elane

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elanna

Sun ray, shining light; tree

Hebrew

Elayna

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elayne

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellaine

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellane

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Ellayne

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Elle

She

French

Elliana

My God has answered

Hebrew

Ellie

Shortened form of El- names

English

Helaine

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

Laine

Path, roadway

English

Lainey

Bright and shining

French

Layney

Sun ray, shining light

Greek

What names sound like Elaine?

If you like how Elaine sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Elaine.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Alaine

Precious

German

Eline

Noble kind; God has answered

Hebrew

What names are similar to Elaine?

Find a name that’s like Elaine, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Alana

Little rock

English

Eleanor

Of unknown meaning

English

Elnora

Compassion

Greek

Lists With Elaine

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Elaine.

8 Comments

  1. It was my Mawmaw’s name?
    Classy and sentimental!

    Reply

  2. I have loved my name as far back as I can remember. I am sorry we do not hear it that often any more.

    Reply

  3. My beautiful Mother was born in 1932 and her mother( my grandmother) and her aunt ( my great aunt) were both pregnant and due about a week apart. They both loved and wanted Elaine to be the name if they had a girl. They decided whoever had their baby first, and if it was a girl, then Elaine would be the name. Well, my grandmother had my Mom first and she was named Elaine. I’m not sure exactly how long after my great aunt had her little girl, but her name became Olaine. She went by Olly!!? My daughter’s name is Danyelle Elaine. I haven’t heard that name used my entire life and I’m 60 y/o. My beautiful Mother just passed away on 8/29/23. She was 90 y/o. God bless her and her beautiful name which means brightness and light!! ?

    Reply

  4. I have loved this name for as long as I can remember. This name feels ageless and beautiful. When I found out I was having a girl, there was no question about the name, it could only be Elaine.

    Reply

  5. She is our light , God’s shining light her dad named her before she was born

    Reply

  6. Ney at the end

    Reply

  7. When my husband and I found out we were having a beautiful baby girl, almost instantly we knew her name was going to be Elaine. Within the 39 weeks of her developing, I knew she would be strong, gracious and most of all have Both of our grandmother’s fierce characteristics. My husband’s grandmother’s name is Elaine. My grandmother’s middle name is Annie. So we named our first daughter Elaine Annie. 🙂

    Reply

    • I never knew my name was so beautiful

      Reply

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