Elaine

girlOld French

Elaine is an girl name of Old French, from Greek origin, meaning “Form of Helen; often 'light'”.

MeaningForm of Helen; often 'light'
GenderGirl
OriginOld French, from Greek
Pronunciationih-LAYN
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States, Ireland

Meaning and origin of Elaine

Elaine is an Old French form of Helen, whose Greek origin is uncertain though it is often connected with words for torch or light. The name appears in Arthurian legend, most memorably as Elaine of Astolat, the maiden who dies of love for Lancelot and who inspired Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott. It became popular in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century.

Is Elaine a religious name?

Elaine has no religious background; its associations are literary and Arthurian.

How popular is Elaine?

Most common among women born in the mid-twentieth century.

Gifts with the name Elaine

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Spellings and variants of Elaine

Names similar to Elaine

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Elaine mean?

Elaine means 'Form of Helen; often 'light''. It is of Old French, from Greek origin.

Does Elaine have a religious meaning?

Elaine has no religious background; its associations are literary and Arthurian.

How do you pronounce Elaine?

Elaine is pronounced ih-LAYN.

Is Elaine a boy or girl name?

Elaine is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.