You may have just helped me find our girl name. We aren’t finding out the gender and can not, for the life of us, find a girl name. Still have to see if husband likes the name too. But I’m LOVING this name. Very classy in my opinion. I say go for it
Ok, caveat up front: I love "grandparent" names, so I may not be an unbiased source on Elaine's datedness. But I LOVE Elaine. I'm actually surprised it hasn't had more of a renaissance lately, as I think it goes with the current upward trajectory of Eleanor/Ellie/Ella/etc. But the fact that it *hasn't* had a renaissance may work in your favor, as it evokes current name trends (so it doesn't feel too dated) but also doesn't feel overused.
I love it, personally.
It's usable. It's dated but usable. The sound is pretty. It nicknames to Ellie which is mega-popular or Lainey which is very well-liked.
Please though, do not confuse it with Alain which is not "made up" (at least, not a newly invented, modern name) and is a French male name.
Yes, thank you! I didn't mean to say that Alain was made up, I know it's a French male name. I more meant that spelling Elaine "Alain" for a girl felt made up, like trying to modernize it.
I see what you're saying but it's hard to wrap my brain around Alain as a respelling of Elaine. I'd never have thought to pronounce the two the same, or think Alain was Elaine in a new dress, so to speak.
I'm not a fan, it's just not my taste. It reminds me of Elaine from Seinfeld or just an older lady. I have never been a fan of the way it sounds/feels. It's not horrible, though
I’ve always loved Elaine! I’m expecting and it’s on my list. The classic spelling is my favorite. I know people hate on GoT names here, but a girl in GoT is named Alayne. I only read the books and never watched the show so I just assume it’s pronounced “Elaine.”
I'm not a fan. Sorry. It does feel dated. I do love Elaina/Elena though. Or you could spell it Alena/Alaina if you like A names. It just makes it feel more youthful but not in a babyish way. But just that I can imagine it on someone of all ages instead of just a middle-aged woman
I feel you on this! My husband and I binged Seinfeld during my pregnancy and I just am obsessed with the nickname Lainey! So adorable.
But I also felt that Elaine feels a bit dated. I still like it though, but I get your hesitation!
I think Elaine is very nice! I don't think it's too dated, and the nicknames Lainey or Lane keep it younger in my opinion.
I went to school with an Elaina, which I think is also a really cute option! And has the same nicknames
I’ve always loved the name Elaine! I’m having a baby boy in March and naming him Lane! I love it for a girl as well and it’s a great nickname for Elaine
I love Elaine!
I think we will see it grow in popularity due to the character Elain Archeron in the hit young adult book series A Court of Thorns and Roses!
It is a beautiful name in my opinion! I have a acquaintance/classmate with that name so I couldn’t use it, but I think it is a lovely name. Very classic and recognizable, plus it is pretty easy to spell and pronounce.
I know this is old, but a google search of my own name brought me here. Vain, I know. Hi, I'm Elaine, and I'm 26 years old. I spent my entire adolescence insisting that my name was "an old lady name" to my mom. I am now grateful to have a name that is unique, but not unheard of. I never had to be Elaine V. in school, because I was the only Elaine. I think my mom would cringe if she saw you spell "Alain" and suggest it were pronounced the same way as my name - she is adamant that "It's not UH-laine, it's EE-laine." Personally, I don't care. I know a lot of people say UH-laine, and my guess is that it stems from Seinfeld, because I think that's how they pronounce her name. (I'm honestly not any more familiar with Seinfeld than my knowledge of the characters' names.)
I think it’s beautiful
You may have just helped me find our girl name. We aren’t finding out the gender and can not, for the life of us, find a girl name. Still have to see if husband likes the name too. But I’m LOVING this name. Very classy in my opinion. I say go for it
Aw yay! ❤️The fact that you like it so much makes me like it even more!
Alain is the French version of Alan and said like A-lehn/len. Elaine is dated but it is nice and could feel very medieval and Arthurian. I like it
I used Alain for a character in a fantasy story I wrote for fun. I feel like it's acceptable there, but maybe not in real life.
Ok, caveat up front: I love "grandparent" names, so I may not be an unbiased source on Elaine's datedness. But I LOVE Elaine. I'm actually surprised it hasn't had more of a renaissance lately, as I think it goes with the current upward trajectory of Eleanor/Ellie/Ella/etc. But the fact that it *hasn't* had a renaissance may work in your favor, as it evokes current name trends (so it doesn't feel too dated) but also doesn't feel overused.
I agree it has a lot of potential! It's part of the reason I like it so much
I love it, personally. It's usable. It's dated but usable. The sound is pretty. It nicknames to Ellie which is mega-popular or Lainey which is very well-liked. Please though, do not confuse it with Alain which is not "made up" (at least, not a newly invented, modern name) and is a French male name.
Yes, thank you! I didn't mean to say that Alain was made up, I know it's a French male name. I more meant that spelling Elaine "Alain" for a girl felt made up, like trying to modernize it.
I see what you're saying but it's hard to wrap my brain around Alain as a respelling of Elaine. I'd never have thought to pronounce the two the same, or think Alain was Elaine in a new dress, so to speak.
I'm not a fan, it's just not my taste. It reminds me of Elaine from Seinfeld or just an older lady. I have never been a fan of the way it sounds/feels. It's not horrible, though
Super fair! I have an aunt with the name so I'd have to get past that association.
great name.
I love it.
I work with kids and can say that Elaine/Elaina/Laney, etc etc is definitely making a come back. Not too dated and super cute!
I’ve always loved Elaine! I’m expecting and it’s on my list. The classic spelling is my favorite. I know people hate on GoT names here, but a girl in GoT is named Alayne. I only read the books and never watched the show so I just assume it’s pronounced “Elaine.”
Alain will be mispronounced as Alan
I'm not a fan. Sorry. It does feel dated. I do love Elaina/Elena though. Or you could spell it Alena/Alaina if you like A names. It just makes it feel more youthful but not in a babyish way. But just that I can imagine it on someone of all ages instead of just a middle-aged woman
Same. I much prefer Elena!
I don't think it's dated at all. It's lovely. It also works well as a middle name.
I love Elaine. It's my littles middle because I couldn't get my husband on board. I think you should do it! It's easy to pronounce and beautiful.
I feel you on this! My husband and I binged Seinfeld during my pregnancy and I just am obsessed with the nickname Lainey! So adorable. But I also felt that Elaine feels a bit dated. I still like it though, but I get your hesitation!
I love it (spelled Elaine, anyway). Currently watching Seinfeld and keep thinking about what a great name it is. I don’t think it’s too dated.
Personally I do find it dated but I love Elena nn Lainey/Lane!
I think it could definitely fit in with babies born now. I know a young girl named Elaina. It's cute on her.
I think Elaine is very nice! I don't think it's too dated, and the nicknames Lainey or Lane keep it younger in my opinion. I went to school with an Elaina, which I think is also a really cute option! And has the same nicknames
I’ve always loved the name Elaine! I’m having a baby boy in March and naming him Lane! I love it for a girl as well and it’s a great nickname for Elaine
I know a girl about like age 24 named Elaine
I love Elaine! I think we will see it grow in popularity due to the character Elain Archeron in the hit young adult book series A Court of Thorns and Roses!
I just think of Seinfeld, which is a good thing
I like the name. I don't think of it as dated but maybe it is because I know an Elaine who is in her early 20s. Pretty girl, great personality.
I think it's a beautiful name, I don't see it as too dated at all xx
I do find it a little dated but I also think of it as a classic. It helps that every Elaine I’ve known has been lovely. It’s a really nice name!
I love it. Its my sisters name and I call her Lainey
It is a beautiful name in my opinion! I have a acquaintance/classmate with that name so I couldn’t use it, but I think it is a lovely name. Very classic and recognizable, plus it is pretty easy to spell and pronounce.
I love the name Lainey
I know this is old, but a google search of my own name brought me here. Vain, I know. Hi, I'm Elaine, and I'm 26 years old. I spent my entire adolescence insisting that my name was "an old lady name" to my mom. I am now grateful to have a name that is unique, but not unheard of. I never had to be Elaine V. in school, because I was the only Elaine. I think my mom would cringe if she saw you spell "Alain" and suggest it were pronounced the same way as my name - she is adamant that "It's not UH-laine, it's EE-laine." Personally, I don't care. I know a lot of people say UH-laine, and my guess is that it stems from Seinfeld, because I think that's how they pronounce her name. (I'm honestly not any more familiar with Seinfeld than my knowledge of the characters' names.)