Elaine Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Elaine Name Meaning

Fact: There is an asteroid named 3843 Elaine, discovered by astronomer Brian A. Skiff in 1983, adding a celestial connection to the name.

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A Deep Dive

Elaine Overview

Meaning

Bright, shining light, sun ray

Gender

Girl

Origin

French

Etymology

Derived from the Old French name Helen, which comes from the Greek name Helene.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ɪˈleɪn/

Popularity

Elaine enjoys moderate usage in countries like the United States and Brazil. In the USA, Elaine ranked 381th for girls in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Aesthetic, Traditional

Associated Traits

Elegant, graceful, intelligent, kind

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Elaine is often associated with literature and mythology, notably appearing as a character in Arthurian legends and Tennyson’s poems.

Name Day

May 18th (France) (Source: Behind the Name)
A Deep Dive

Elaine Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Eileen, Elena, Elaina, Eleni, Alaina

Common Nicknames

Ellie, Lainey, Lain, Elle, Laina

Diminutives

Laney, Laine, El

Famous People

  • Elaine Paige
    (English Singer and Actress)
  • Elaine Stritch
    (American Actress)
  • Elaine Chao
    (Taiwanese-American Politician)
  • Elaine Cassidy
    (Irish Actress)
  • Elaine May
    (American Director and Screenwriter)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Elaine Benes
    ("Seinfeld," TV Series)
  • Elaine Miller
    ("Almost Famous," Film)
  • "Elaine's Dilemma"
    (Novel)
  • Elaine Marley
    ("Monkey Island," Video Game Series)

Places

  • Elaine Town
    (Arkansas, USA)
  • Elaine Bay
    (Marlborough, New Zealand)

What Is the Meaning of Elaine?

The name Elaine means “bright” or “shining light.” Those named Elaine often possess a radiant personality, full of warmth and positivity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Elaine?

Elaine is derived from the Old French form of Helen, which originates from the Greek name Helene. The Greek root of the name means “torch” or “corposant,” symbolizing light and brilliance.

Elaine Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Elaine in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#4862021#4662022#3812023
Top 3 Rankings#421938#441941#441945

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Elaine

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023381
(+85 from 2022)
806
(+126 from 2022)
0.04608
2022466
(+20 from 2021)
680
(+34 from 2021)
0.03792
2021486
(+33 from 2020)
646
(+63 from 2020)
0.03606
2020519
(+43 from 2019)
583
(+38 from 2019)
0.03298
2019562
(+72 from 2018)
545
(+75 from 2018)
0.02970
2018634
(-45 from 2017)
470
(-37 from 2017)
0.02527
2017589
(+15 from 2016)
507
(+9 from 2016)
0.02684
2016604
(+71 from 2015)
498
(+76 from 2015)
0.02572
2015675
(-25 from 2014)
422
(-17 from 2014)
0.02163
2014650
(+100 from 2013)
439
(+79 from 2013)
0.02244
2013750
(-48 from 2012)
360
(-40 from 2012)
0.01868
2012702
(-3 from 2011)
400
(+1 from 2011)
0.02062
2011699
(+98 from 2010)
399
(+56 from 2010)
0.02059
2010797
(-31 from 2009)
343
(-28 from 2009)
0.01749
2009766
(-24 from 2008)
371
(-28 from 2008)
0.01832
2008742
(-22 from 2007)
399
(-7 from 2007)
0.01916
2007720
(-2 from 2006)
406
(+13 from 2006)
0.01918
2006718
(-112 from 2005)
393
(-76 from 2005)
0.01880
2005606
(+56 from 2004)
469
(+56 from 2004)
0.02311
2004662
(-33 from 2003)
413
(-14 from 2003)
0.02047
2003629
(+8 from 2002)
427
(+28 from 2002)
0.02128
2002637
(-23 from 2001)
399
(-9 from 2001)
0.02020
2001614
(-38 from 2000)
408
(-45 from 2000)
0.02060
2000576
(-32 from 1999)
453
(-9 from 1999)
0.02270
1999544
(-21 from 1998)
462
(-19 from 1998)
0.02373
1998523
(+3 from 1997)
481
(+29 from 1997)
0.02481
1997526
(-56 from 1996)
452
(-79 from 1996)
0.02367
1996470
(-3 from 1995)
531
(-10 from 1995)
0.02770
1995467
(-20 from 1994)
541
(-26 from 1994)
0.02815
1994447
(-2 from 1993)
567
(+7 from 1993)
0.02909
1993445
(-24 from 1992)
560
(-43 from 1992)
0.02840
1992421
(-3 from 1991)
603
(-7 from 1991)
0.03008
1991418
(-9 from 1990)
610
(-22 from 1990)
0.03000
1990409
(-33 from 1989)
632
(-41 from 1989)
0.03076
1989376
(-26 from 1988)
673
(-34 from 1988)
0.03378
1988350
(+5 from 1987)
707
(+38 from 1987)
0.03676
1987355
(+3 from 1986)
669
(+5 from 1986)
0.03569
1986358
(+2 from 1985)
664
(+9 from 1985)
0.03598
1985360
(+11 from 1984)
655
(+38 from 1984)
0.03548
1984371
(-78 from 1983)
617
(-179 from 1983)
0.03421
1983293
(+20 from 1982)
796
(+19 from 1982)
0.04448
1982313
(-5 from 1981)
777
(-7 from 1981)
0.04283
1981308
(+5 from 1980)
784
(+12 from 1980)
0.04384
1980313
(-7 from 1979)
772
(-11 from 1979)
0.04336
1979306
(+4 from 1978)
783
(+26 from 1978)
0.04544
1978310
(-36 from 1977)
757
(-107 from 1977)
0.04605
1977274
(+18 from 1976)
864
(+82 from 1976)
0.05252
1976292
(-10 from 1975)
782
(-79 from 1975)
0.04975
1975282
(-15 from 1974)
861
(-89 from 1974)
0.05516
1974267
(-14 from 1973)
950
(-43 from 1973)
0.06065
1973253
(-1 from 1972)
993
(-73 from 1972)
0.06390
1972252
(-19 from 1971)
1066
(-222 from 1971)
0.06611
1971233
(-16 from 1970)
1288
(-149 from 1970)
0.07349
1970217
(-25 from 1969)
1437
(-246 from 1969)
0.07845
1969192
(-3 from 1968)
1683
(-23 from 1968)
0.09548
1968189
(-7 from 1967)
1706
(-70 from 1967)
0.09978
1967182
(-16 from 1966)
1776
(-283 from 1966)
0.10345
1966166
(-16 from 1965)
2059
(-439 from 1965)
0.11727
1965150
(-8 from 1964)
2498
(-326 from 1964)
0.13669
1964142
(-9 from 1963)
2824
(-298 from 1963)
0.14428
1963133
(-8 from 1962)
3122
(-491 from 1962)
0.15704
1962125
(-7 from 1961)
3613
(-253 from 1961)
0.17825
1961118
(-6 from 1960)
3866
(-449 from 1960)
0.18612
1960112
(-7 from 1959)
4315
(-139 from 1959)
0.20748
1959105
(-4 from 1958)
4454
(-290 from 1958)
0.21428
1958101
(-5 from 1957)
4744
(-270 from 1957)
0.22965
195796
(-7 from 1956)
5014
(-296 from 1956)
0.23897
195689
(-12 from 1955)
5310
(-325 from 1955)
0.25783
195577
(-3 from 1954)
5635
(-191 from 1954)
0.28106
195474
(+3 from 1953)
5826
(+331 from 1953)
0.29264
195377
(-4 from 1952)
5495
(-155 from 1952)
0.28479
195273
(-7 from 1951)
5650
(-419 from 1951)
0.29706
195166
(-6 from 1950)
6069
(+32 from 1950)
0.32854
195060
(-3 from 1949)
6037
(-177 from 1949)
0.34330
194957
(-4 from 1948)
6214
(-188 from 1948)
0.35397
194853
(-3 from 1947)
6402
(-657 from 1947)
0.36736
194750
(-3 from 1946)
7059
(+256 from 1946)
0.38831
194647
(-3 from 1945)
6803
(+916 from 1945)
0.42179
194544
(+2 from 1944)
5887
(+259 from 1944)
0.43733
194446
No change from 1943
5628
(-337 from 1943)
0.41185
194346
(-1 from 1942)
5965
(-20 from 1942)
0.41556
194245
(-1 from 1941)
5985
(+607 from 1941)
0.43043
194144
(+6 from 1940)
5378
(+596 from 1940)
0.43162
194050
(-5 from 1939)
4782
(-3 from 1939)
0.40479
193945
(-3 from 1938)
4785
(-49 from 1938)
0.42193
193842
(+3 from 1937)
4834
(+307 from 1937)
0.42350
193745
(+5 from 1936)
4527
(+268 from 1936)
0.41086
193650
(+1 from 1935)
4259
(+179 from 1935)
0.39525
193551
(+3 from 1934)
4080
(+180 from 1934)
0.37543
193454
(+7 from 1933)
3900
(+329 from 1933)
0.36033
193361
(+7 from 1932)
3571
(-5 from 1932)
0.34138
193268
(+4 from 1931)
3576
(-46 from 1931)
0.32324
193172
(-3 from 1930)
3622
(-332 from 1930)
0.32816
193069
(-2 from 1929)
3954
(+102 from 1929)
0.33898
192967
(+1 from 1928)
3852
(-153 from 1928)
0.33277
192868
(+1 from 1927)
4005
(-104 from 1927)
0.33500
192769
(-1 from 1926)
4109
(+105 from 1926)
0.33232
192668
(+5 from 1925)
4004
(+228 from 1925)
0.32548
192573
No change from 1924
3776
(-26 from 1924)
0.29895
192473
(+14 from 1923)
3802
(+590 from 1923)
0.29344
192387
(+15 from 1922)
3212
(+420 from 1922)
0.25645
1922102
(-5 from 1921)
2792
(-130 from 1921)
0.22379
192197
(+10 from 1920)
2922
(+489 from 1920)
0.22833
1920107
(+29 from 1919)
2433
(+745 from 1919)
0.19557
1919136
(+16 from 1918)
1688
(+215 from 1918)
0.14370
1918152
(+8 from 1917)
1473
(+192 from 1917)
0.12251
1917160
(+1 from 1916)
1281
(+45 from 1916)
0.11400
1916161
(-6 from 1915)
1236
(+24 from 1915)
0.11384
1915155
(+66 from 1914)
1212
(+644 from 1914)
0.11838
1914221
(+18 from 1913)
568
(+157 from 1913)
0.07130
1913239
(+13 from 1912)
411
(+98 from 1912)
0.06276
1912252
(+21 from 1911)
313
(+114 from 1911)
0.05335
1911273
(+5 from 1910)
199
(+4 from 1910)
0.04504
1910278
(+31 from 1909)
195
(+56 from 1909)
0.04648
1909309
(+4 from 1908)
139
(+10 from 1908)
0.03776
1908313
(+30 from 1907)
129
(+26 from 1907)
0.03639
1907343
(+33 from 1906)
103
(+21 from 1906)
0.03052
1906376
(+4 from 1905)
82
(+3 from 1905)
0.02616
1905380
(+48 from 1904)
79
(+22 from 1904)
0.02550
1904428
(+7 from 1903)
57
(+4 from 1903)
0.01949
1903435
(+19 from 1902)
53
(+5 from 1902)
0.01905
1902454
(-2 from 1901)
48
(+5 from 1901)
0.01712
1901452
(+26 from 1900)
43
(-7 from 1900)
0.01691
1900478
(+115 from 1899)
50
(+23 from 1899)
0.01574
1899593
(+4 from 1898)
27
(-2 from 1898)
0.01091
1898597
(-60 from 1897)
29
(-1 from 1897)
0.01058
1897537
(-70 from 1896)
30
(-8 from 1896)
0.01208
1896467
(+218 from 1895)
38
(+17 from 1895)
0.01508
1895685
(-21 from 1894)
21
(+1 from 1894)
0.00850
1894664
(-93 from 1893)
20
(-4 from 1893)
0.00848
1893571
(+19 from 1892)
24
(+2 from 1892)
0.01066
1892590
(+79 from 1891)
22
(+6 from 1891)
0.00978
1891669
(+122 from 1890)
16
(+4 from 1890)
0.00814
1890791
(+159 from 1889)
12
(+4 from 1889)
0.00595
1889950
(+86 from 1888)
8
(+1 from 1888)
0.00423
18881036
No change from 1887
7
(+1 from 1887)
0.00370
18871036
(+72 from 1886)
6
(+1 from 1886)
0.00386
18861108
(-84 from 1884)
5
No change from 1884
0.00325
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18841024
(-104 from 1883)
5
No change from 1883
0.00363
1883920
(-84 from 1880)
5
No change from 1880
0.00416
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1880836
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00512

American States Popularity Rankings for Elaine

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#5432021#5232022#6252023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#6062021#4042022#3902023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#5182021#4132022#4182023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4582021#4222022#3242023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#7782021#5222022#4372023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3242021#5112022#3412023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3342021#3162022#4022023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#6512021#5532022#4732023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3252021#2872022#3302023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3792021#4372022#3202023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4852021#4172022#3972023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5362021#5252022#6422023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4012005#5042021#5602023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3932021#3522022#2012023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2412021#4592022#3522023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3992021#3242022#1852023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#8622021#6202022#5472023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#4412021#6162022#5262023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#8552021#8592022#5932023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4712021#3262022#3662023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4282021#4492022#6042023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#6102021#6122022#3762023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3162020#2932021#1632023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3002020#3732022#2402023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1651981#2261987#2251988

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4992021#4472022#4902023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1151973#1801974#2052007

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3962021#4692022#2942023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3742021#2992022#3442023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5022021#6242022#2862023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4572021#4012022#5842023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1211966#1751967#1771968

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3622020#2942021#2552023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4372020#5152021#4702023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3211976#5231978#4741987

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1991976#2151980#1691983

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1311969#1811970#1421972

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2911979#2791980#2671982

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5612021#2862022#2762023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1851985#2691987#2211992

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5562021#5992022#4872023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2851973#2781974#2741975

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4222001#4372002#3362023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4022017#2482021#4002023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1071965#921966#1421967

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1911970#1731971#2281980

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5012020#2722022#3442023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1681972#1421973#1131975

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1201962#1521964#1171967

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5442021#4462022#5172023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1431972#2011983#2011991

Popularity Rankings for Elaine in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Brazil

Brazil flagBrazil#191980 (Decade)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#791953#791954#941955

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2411997#2131998#3312003

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3922021#2812022#2162023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3032002#2802003#2992014

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4042013#3922015#4002022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#7662021#6502022#3982023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4562000#4592002#4382003

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#8832021#5592022#5552023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8882005#8692017#6222018

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#8422011#8922013#8232015

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#9951998#9001999#9622001

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Elaine a Name for Boys or Girls?

Historically, Elaine has been a female name. It has been passed down through literature and history as a name for women, highlighting its longstanding feminine association.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Elaine

Elaine in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Elaine Paige (Singer and Actress, born 1948): An English singer and actress known as the "First Lady of British Musical Theatre" for her roles in "Evita" and "Cats."
  • Elaine Stritch (Actress, 1925–2014): An American actress and singer celebrated for her work on Broadway and in television.
  • Elaine Chao (Politician, born 1953): A Taiwanese-American politician who has served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Labor.
  • Elaine Cassidy (Actress, born 1979): An Irish actress known for her roles in "The Others" and "Harper's Island."
  • Elaine May (Director and Screenwriter, born 1932): An American director, screenwriter, and actress, co-founder of the comedy duo Nichols and May.
  • Elaine Thompson-Herah (Athlete, born 1992): A Jamaican sprinter who has won multiple Olympic gold medals in the 100m and 200m events.
  • Elaine Hendrix (Actress, born 1970): An American actress best known for her role in the film "The Parent Trap."
  • Elaine Sturtevant (Artist, 1924–2014): An American artist known for her conceptual art and recreations of other artists' works.
  • Elaine Benes ("Seinfeld," 1989 TV Series): A quirky and confident character known for her hilarious misadventures in New York City.
  • Elaine Miller ("Almost Famous," 2000 Film): The overprotective yet loving mother of a teenage rock journalist.
  • "Elaine's Dilemma" (2015 Novel): Follows the journey of a woman named Elaine as she navigates complex personal and professional challenges.
  • Elaine Marley ("Monkey Island," 1990 Video Game Series): The intelligent and resourceful governor of the fictional Tri-Island Area.
  • Elaine ("The Graduate," 1967 Film): A pivotal character who becomes involved in a complicated romantic triangle.
  • Elaine Robinson ("The Graduate," 1967 Film): A young woman who finds herself in a complicated relationship with an older man.
  • Elaine City (Arkansas, USA): A small city in Phillips County with historical significance in the American civil rights movement.
  • Elaine Bay (Marlborough, New Zealand): A picturesque bay located in the Marlborough Sounds, popular for fishing and boating.
  • Elaine Park (California, USA): A community park in Los Angeles featuring recreational facilities and green spaces.
  • Lake Elaine (New Mexico, USA): A reservoir located in Santa Fe County, used for recreational activities and irrigation.
  • Elaine Benes Court (Ohio, USA): A residential street named after a popular television character in the city of Dayton.
  • Elaine Drive (Texas, USA): A residential road in Houston with a variety of housing styles.
  • Elaine Creek (British Columbia, Canada): A stream in the Cariboo region, part of the Fraser River watershed.

Similar Names to Elaine

Sibling Names for Elaine