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noun Uncommon

Elaine

ih-LAYN

Elaine (noun) means a female given name of Old French origin, related to the name Helen. Example: “Elaine appears as a character in the legends of King Arthur.”

noun
1
A female given name of Old French origin, related to the name Helen.
"Elaine appears as a character in the legends of King Arthur."

How to use Elaine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woman's first name, essentially an alternate form of "Helen."

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_____ appears as a character in the legends of King Arthur.

Etymology

From Old French Elaine, a variant of Helen, ultimately traced back to the Ancient Greek name Helénē.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for Elaine

See all rhymes for Elaine →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Elaine” mean?

The word “Elaine” means a female given name of Old French origin, related to the name Helen. In plain terms, a woman's first name, essentially an alternate form of "Helen.".

How do you pronounce “Elaine”?

“Elaine” is pronounced ih-LAYN (/ɪˈleɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Elaine” in a sentence?

Here is “Elaine” used in a sentence: “Elaine appears as a character in the legends of King Arthur.”

What part of speech is “Elaine”?

“Elaine” is a noun.

Where does the word “Elaine” come from?

The word “Elaine” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French Elaine, a variant of Helen, ultimately traced back to the Ancient Greek name Helénē.

Is “Elaine” a common word?

“Elaine” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the origin of the name Elaine?

Elaine is a female given name of Old French origin. It is related to the name Helen, sharing a common root.

Is Elaine related to the name Helen?

Yes, Elaine developed from an Old French variant connected to Helen. The two names share the same underlying origin despite their different modern forms.

Is Elaine used as a standalone name or mainly a variant of another name?

Elaine is used as a complete given name in its own right today, even though it historically arose as a variant of Helen. It is not typically treated as a nickname.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial