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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Elaine

108 replies

trueblueari · 17/06/2018 22:48

Opinions on Elaine?

Too old fashioned or due a comeback?

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AvonCallingBarksdale · 20/06/2018 17:29

No not a fan. To me it’s up there with Yvonne, Linda, Sharon, Tracy etc...

MikeUniformMike · 20/06/2018 17:28

Won't Elaine disappear into all the Ellas, Eloises, Elise, Eleanors, Elenas, Helenas etc?
I think it is OK, but like a lot of names, too many in one age group tends to make them dull.

millymae · 20/06/2018 17:23

Goodness me who would have thought that the name Elaine would have generated such negative comments.
I think that as adults we worry too much about how names will be perceived by other adults when this shouldn’t matter at all.
Children have no such perceptions and unless we foist ours onto them they just accept names for what they are .
If you love Elaine OP go for it - you will never please everyone whatever you choose. As someone who was landed with a name that is two a penny in my age group I would nowadays have much preferred to have been given a less common name. In years to come your daughter may be grateful that you chose a name that was a little different.

MarthasGinYard · 20/06/2018 16:39

Just keep seeing Catherine Tate as Elaine Figgis unlucky in love

Jj2431 · 20/06/2018 16:05

I love it

AlliKaneErikson · 20/06/2018 11:47

I know a gorgeous Elaine in her 20s.

Raines100 · 20/06/2018 06:17

I have an Elena. Weirdly, people don't seem to connect it with the name Elaine. Different vibe, maybe?

Picknickers · 20/06/2018 00:00

I'm very sorry OP but I think it's hideous...really whiney and ugly.

user1485342611 · 19/06/2018 15:21

I think it sounds dated, as opposed to old fashioned. I could see it becoming very popular again in about 30 years or so, when most Elaines will be very elderly or dearly departed.

Wheresmeredithgrey · 19/06/2018 13:41

Elaine the pain

stickygotstuck · 19/06/2018 13:40

Well, I think it's a nice, solid name OP.

By the way, you do all realise Elaine is the same name as Ellen, Helen, Helena, Elena, etc., don't you?

MikeUniformMike · 19/06/2018 13:36

Elayne is awful. I like Elaina, it seems fresher than Elaine.

PsychedelicSheep · 18/06/2018 22:37

How funny, I was literally thinking just yesterday how pretty the name Elaine is, despite it being outdated.

I say go for it!

OublietteBravo · 18/06/2018 22:33

It’s the name of someone in their 40s. I think if it being in the same bracket as Amanda, Lisa, Joanne, Carolyn, Deborah, Simone, Melanie, Jayne, Angela, Wendy, Christine, Dawn, etc.

It’s OK, and is likely to be an unusual name for a baby.

Bytheseabythesea · 18/06/2018 22:32

I know an awesome Elaine in her mid thirties so I like it. I thought, when choosing names for children, you can't go much wrong with an objectively pleasant sounding, fairly well known name which not that many of their peers will have. Elaine fits those criteria!

LolaLilo · 18/06/2018 22:26

I love Elena nn Lainey

ElChan03 · 18/06/2018 22:24

I like it. My aunt is called Lorraine and I like the sound of Elaine.

DorothyBastard · 18/06/2018 22:20

I think it’s beautiful. Strong and sensible but pretty sounding too.

MsMotherOfDragons · 18/06/2018 22:14

Can you spell it like... Elene or something?

SuitedandBooted · 18/06/2018 22:11

I like it. A classic, elegant name for an adult.

I really don't understand all the "old-fashioned" comments" Names go in cycles - I can see Nicola, Jane, Helen and other 60's - 70's favourites coming around again soon. Look at all the Mabel's, Daisy's etc. To someone my age (early 50's), those are Victorian house-maids/granny names, but people love them now!

Amalfimamma · 18/06/2018 21:59

Lovely name. I know one, in her 40s, can be a bitch when needed and asked me to thank you all for the compliments on her name Grin

Winchester13 · 18/06/2018 21:56

Elaina is nice

theveryhighlife · 18/06/2018 21:48

I like it, one of my favourite people is an Elaine. She's very kind and beautiful too! So I only have positive associations with the name

LastNightsMakeUp · 18/06/2018 21:44

I knew an Elaine as a child, she'd be late 20's / early 30's now so I wouldn't necessarily consider it as an 'old name only' name. She was a bit whiny though so that'd put me off 🤭... aside from that I think it's fine, wouldn't cause me to raise my eyebrows

Elliemayclampett · 18/06/2018 21:39

I’m an Elaine. I like it. Helene is Helen trying to be posh. Call your baby what you like, not what anyone else deems acceptable, pretty or fashionable