Elaine

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly shining light or torch
Origin: Greek — Old French form of Helen

Nicknames: Lainey

Girl's name · #305 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Elaine was #42 in 1938, slipped to #797 by 2010, and has climbed back to #305 today. Roughly 263,000 girls have been named Elaine since 1880.

Across the states

See where Elaine is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 38 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Elaine ranks in other countries and regions.

#198 in Ecuador (2025) · #608 in Ireland (2025) · #632 in Scotland (2025) · #671 in Canada (2025) · #899 in Austria (2025) · #1,133 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,913 in Italy (2024) · #2,006 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,203 in Sweden (2025) · #4,225 in France (2025) · #1,016 in Netherlands (2023) · #399 in New Zealand (2022) and 4 more.

Famous Elaines

Elaine Thompson-Herah — Jamaican sprinter (born 1992)
Elaine Chao — American businesswoman and government official (born 1953)
Elaine Paige — English singer and actress (born 1948)
Elaine May — American screenwriter, film director, actress, and comedian (born 1932)
Elaine Hendrix — American actress (born 1970)

In stories & tradition

Elaine Benes — Major character on the TV show "Seinfeld"
Elaine of Astolat — Figure in Arthurian legend
Elaine Marley — Fictional character in Monkey Island

What Elaines become

Among 731 notable people named Elaine:

Entertainers appear 1.51× more often than among typical names — e.g. Elaine Paige, English singer and actress (born 1948).

Spellings & nicknames

About 3,600 girls a year are given Lainey as their full name.

Similar names: Elaina · Bonnie · Elisa · Lorraine · Dorothy · Maxine

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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