Elaine Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Elaine is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Elaine?
Elaine is spelled E-L-A-I-N-E. The name has 6 letters.
Elaine at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Elaine is derived from the Old French form of Helen, which may mean “torch” or “light.”
- Origin
- Elaine is commonly associated with medieval French literature, particularly Arthurian legend.
- Pronunciation
- ih-LAYN · 2 syllables
Elaine Popularity in 2025
Rank#304
Recorded Births1,007
- Girls usage rose 64 places to #304 and recorded 158 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Elaine Mean?
Elaine is derived from the Old French form of Helen, which may mean “torch” or “light.”
Origin: Elaine is commonly associated with medieval French literature, particularly Arthurian legend.
How Do You Pronounce Elaine?
Pronunciationih-LAYN
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Elaine?
- History
- Elaine appears as a character in Arthurian romances dating from the 12th century onward.
Elaine Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 1,007 | #304 |
| 2024 | Girls | 849 | #368 |
| 2023 | Girls | 808 | #381 |
| 2022 | Girls | 685 | #463 |
| 2021 | Girls | 647 | #486 |
| 2020 | Girls | 583 | #519 |
| 2019 | Girls | 545 | #563 |
| 2018 | Girls | 470 | #636 |
| 2017 | Girls | 507 | #590 |
| 2016 | Girls | 498 | #604 |
| 2015 | Girls | 423 | #674 |
| 2014 | Girls | 439 | #650 |
| 2013 | Girls | 360 | #752 |
| 2012 | Girls | 400 | #702 |
| 2011 | Girls | 399 | #699 |
| 2010 | Girls | 343 | #797 |
| 2009 | Girls | 371 | #766 |
| 2008 | Girls | 399 | #742 |
| 2007 | Girls | 406 | #720 |
| 2006 | Girls | 393 | #718 |
| 2005 | Girls | 469 | #606 |
| 2004 | Girls | 413 | #662 |
| 2003 | Girls | 427 | #629 |
| 2002 | Girls | 399 | #637 |
When Was Elaine Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Girls
7,059 recorded births
National rank #50
1946 · Girls
6,803 recorded births
National rank #47
1948 · Girls
6,403 recorded births
National rank #53
1949 · Girls
6,214 recorded births
National rank #57
Where Elaine Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| IA | #126 | 25 |
| DE | #167 | 5 |
| KS | #172 | 19 |
| WI | #179 | 30 |
| NE | #182 | 12 |
| SD | #188 | 6 |
| ID | #193 | 11 |
| NV | #196 | 13 |