Elayne
Elayne is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Shining light, sun ray, or torch.
Origin and history
Elayne is a spelling variant of Elaine, derived from the Greek name Helena meaning sun ray or shining light. Popularized through Arthurian legend as the name of several noblewomen, it offers a vintage literary feel. In the United States, it remains a uncommon yet classic choice.
Popularity in the United States
4,114 babies in the United States have been named Elayne since 1880. It ranks #2747 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1904.
States where it is most popular
- NY (37.4 %)
- CA (12.4 %)
- PA (11.5 %)
- IL (8 %)
- WI (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 128 |
| 1920-1930 | 761 |
| 1930-1940 | 531 |
| 1940-1950 | 740 |
| 1950-1960 | 538 |
| 1960-1970 | 306 |
| 1970-1980 | 145 |
| 1980-1990 | 141 |
| 1990-2000 | 197 |
| 2000-2010 | 175 |
| 2010-2019 | 255 |
| 2020-2029 | 197 |
Nicknames
Lainey, Laine, Ellie, Lainy
Fun facts
- Elayne is a prominent name in Arthurian legend, borne by Elaine of Astolat and Elaine of Corbenic.
- The 'y' spelling gives the traditional French and Greek-derived name Elaine a distinct modern twist.