Elaine
/eɪˈleɪn/noun
A feminine given name, especially in English.
Did you know?Elaine is the French form of Helen, ultimately tied to Greek *helēnē*, which may mean “torch” or “bright light,” giving this name a luminous ancient pedigree.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Helénē
“A personal name traditionally associated with brightness, torch, or light”
Late Latin
Latin
Helena
“A borrowed female name used in the Roman world”
Old French
OFr
Elaine
“A French form of Helen, used in medieval romance”
Middle English
English
Elaine
“A literary and given name, especially in Arthurian legend”
Modern English
English
Elaine
“A feminine given name”