Names › Girls' names › E › Elaine
Elaine
Meaning: bright light (form of Helen) · Origin: French (from Greek) · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
An Old French form of Helen. In Arthurian legend Elaine of Astolat dies of love for Lancelot.
Nicknames
Lainie
Variants & related names
Helen, Elena, Elain
Elaine name art
A free preview of a printable “Elaine” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Elaine mean?
Elaine means “bright light (form of Helen)”. It comes from French (from Greek).
Is Elaine a popular name?
Elaine is a classic girls' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Elaine?
Lainie.
What are other forms of Elaine?
Helen, Elena, Elain.
Similar names
Charlotte · Isabelle · Esme · Eloise · Allison · Elise
More: names starting with E · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.