Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Elaine
GirlFrench, Greek· “uncertain; Old French form of Helen”
- Meaning
- uncertain; Old French form of Helen (origin disputed)
- Origin
- French, Greek
- Pronunciation
- ih-LAYN
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #305
- US babies 2025
- 1,007
- Best rank
- #42 (1938)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Elaine
Elaine is often said to mean “uncertain; Old French form of Helen”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and Greek roots.
Elaine is an Old French form of Helen, whose Greek origin is uncertain; it is often connected with words for torch or light, but that link is not established. The name is best known from Arthurian legend, where several women called Elaine appear, including the mother of Galahad and Elaine of Astolat, the lily maid who dies for love of Lancelot. Alfred Tennyson retold her story in the Idylls of the King. Elaine became common in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century. It is graceful and understated, with Lainey as a nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Elayne, Elane.
Popularity over time
Elaine has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 139 different years. Its best national rank was #42 in 1938, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 7,059 were named Elaine. In 2025, 1,007 babies were named Elaine, and it ranked #305 nationally. That is 138% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #107 in 1920, #60 in 1950, #313 in 1980, #576 in 2000, #797 in 2010, and #305 in 2025. Of the 262,890 US girls named Elaine since records began, 23% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 54,232 babies. Since 2010, 8,963 more have been named Elaine.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Joanne, Sue, Sally, Phyllis, and Lynda.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elaine ranked highest in Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Elaine is usually pronounced ih-LAYN, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with E and ends in “-ne”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Elayne and Elane.
Middle names for Elaine
A few middle names that flow with Elaine: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elaine
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Lists that include Elaine
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elaine mean?
Elaine is often said to mean “uncertain; Old French form of Helen”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Elaine?
Elaine has French and Greek roots. Elaine is an Old French form of Helen, whose Greek origin is uncertain; it is often connected with words for torch or light, but that link is not established.
Is Elaine a popular name?
Yes. Elaine ranked #305 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Elaine a boy or girl name?
Elaine is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Elaine?
Elaine is usually pronounced ih-LAYN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings