Elaine
Elaine is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Shining light or sun ray.
Origin and history
Elaine is traditionally a female name derived from Old French, ultimately traced back to the Greek name Helen. Historically given to a small number of males in the United States, it is virtually exclusively used for females today. Its classical meaning is associated with light or radiance.
Popularity in the United States
653 babies in the United States have been named Elaine since 1880. It ranks #4023 all-time.
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 6 |
| 1920-1930 | 111 |
| 1930-1940 | 146 |
| 1940-1950 | 155 |
| 1950-1960 | 88 |
| 1960-1970 | 79 |
| 1970-1980 | 30 |
| 1980-1990 | 38 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Laine, Lainey, Lainie
Fun facts
- In medieval Arthurian literature, several key female characters bear the name Elaine, including the mother of Sir Galahad.
- The name developed in Old French as a vernacular form of the ancient Greek name Helena.