Elaine
Elaine: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪˈleɪn/ · /iːˈleɪn/
Meaning and origin of Elaine
- A female given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
From Old French Elaine, a variant of Elene, cognate to Helen, ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē). A Celtic origin has also been suggested since the name appears in Arthurian legend. Doublet of Helen.
How popular is Elaine?
Since 1880, 262,890 girls and 653 boys in the U.S. have been named Elaine (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #42 in 1938. Its highest rank for boys was #1260 in 1941. In 2025 it ranked #305 for girls, with 1,007 babies given the name.
Names similar to Elaine
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek girl names
Sibling name ideas for Elaine
Sister and brother names that share Elaine's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Elaine FAQ
What does the name Elaine mean?
A female given name from Ancient Greek. From Old French Elaine, a variant of Elene, cognate to Helen, ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē). A Celtic origin has also been suggested since the name appears in Arthurian legend. Doublet of Helen.
What is the origin of the name Elaine?
Elaine is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Elaine?
Since 1880, 262,890 girls and 653 boys in the U.S. have been named Elaine (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #42 in 1938. Its highest rank for boys was #1260 in 1941. In 2025 it ranked #305 for girls, with 1,007 babies given the name.
Is Elaine a boy or girl name?
Elaine is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 262,890 girls and 653 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.