Elaine is a name of Scottish origin and it means "the fair one" or "noble". It is believed to have derived from the Scottish name Helen, which ultimately comes from the Greek name Helena, meaning "torchlight". The name Elaine has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Elaine of Astolat, a legendary beauty in Arthurian legend, and Elaine Goodale Eastman, an American poet. Despite its rich history, the name Elaine is still relatively rare today, giving those who bear it a unique identity.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Elaine in the United States:
The name Elaine first appeared on the Social Security Administration's (SSA) list of popular baby names in the United States in 1918, with a total of six newborn girls being given this name that year. The popularity of the name Elaine continued to fluctuate over the following decades, reaching its peak in the mid-20th century.
Between 1946 and 1952, there were consistently around ten births per year with the name Elaine, with a high of fifteen births in 1952. However, popularity began to decline after that point, dropping below five births per year by the late 1970s.
Overall, from 1918 through 1989, there were a total of 653 newborn girls named Elaine registered with the SSA in the United States. This makes Elaine a relatively uncommon name, but still one that has been given to a significant number of babies over the years.
While these statistics may not provide any information about the meaning or origin of the name Elaine, they do offer some insight into its historical popularity and usage in the United States.