Elaine

Meaning bright, shining one
Origin French, Greek
Gender Girl
Popularity Moderate
Length 6
Syllables 2
Syllabification E-laine

About Elaine

This distinguished name carries decades of elegance and refinement that never goes out of style. Elaine has graced countless accomplished women throughout history, from literary characters to real-world leaders and artists. The name possesses a mature quality that grows beautifully with its bearer, never feeling juvenile or cutesy. Its French origins lend it sophistication, while its straightforward pronunciation makes it accessible across cultures. Elaine works particularly well in professional settings, commanding respect without seeming stuffy or pretentious. The two-syllable structure gives it clarity and strength, avoiding the complications of longer, more elaborate names. Parents who choose Elaine often value timeless classics over fleeting trends, preferring names with proven longevity. It pairs exceptionally well with both traditional and modern middle names, offering flexibility in creating the perfect full name combination. Elaine suggests intelligence, grace, and quiet confidence—qualities many parents hope to see in their daughters. The name remains relatively uncommon among younger generations, providing uniqueness without being obscure.

Variations of Name Elaine

Elena
Eileen
Ellen
Elaina
Helen

Nicknames for Elaine

Elly
Lainey
Ellie
Lane
Elaine

Famous People Named Elaine

Elaine de KooningAmerican abstract expressionist painter
Elaine StritchAmerican actress and singer
Elaine PaigeEnglish singer and actress
Elaine ChaoAmerican politician and former Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Thompson-HerahJamaican sprinter and Olympic gold medalist
Elaine MayAmerican screenwriter, playwright, and director
Elaine CassidyIrish actress
Elaine ShowalterAmerican literary critic and author
Elaine WelterothAmerican journalist and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue
Elaine L. ChaoAmerican diplomat and former U.S. Secretary of Labor
Elaine MilesNative American actress
Elaine H. KimKorean-American writer and scholar
Elaine BromkaAmerican actress
Elaine QuijanoAmerican journalist and CBS News anchor
Elaine C. SmithScottish actress and comedian
Elaine SturtevantAmerican artist
Elaine DundyAmerican novelist and playwright
Elaine BrownAmerican activist and former chairwoman of the Black Panther Party
Elaine IrwinAmerican model and singer
Elaine HendrixAmerican actress

Characters Named Elaine

Elaine BenesCharacter from the TV show "Seinfeld"
Elaine RobinsonCharacter in the novel and film "The Graduate"
Elaine MillerCharacter in the film "Almost Famous"
Elaine MorgansternCharacter in the TV show "The Love Boat"
Elaine CostelloCharacter in the TV show "The Cosby Show"
Elaine BarrishCharacter in the TV show "Political Animals"
Elaine DickinsonCharacter in the film "Airplane!"
Elaine HarperCharacter in the play "Arsenic and Old Lace"
Elaine VassalCharacter in the TV show "Ally McBeal"
Elaine NardoCharacter in the TV show "Taxi"
Elaine MarleyCharacter in the video game series "Tales of Monkey Island"
Elaine BellocCharacter in the comic book series "Books of Magic"
Elaine RobertsCharacter in the TV show "Gilligan's Island"
Elaine VancomeCharacter in the TV show "Popular"
Elaine DarrowCharacter in the film "Meet Me in St. Louis"