Elaine

[trueblueari]

Opinions on Elaine?

Too old fashioned or due a comeback?

I prefer Ellen-Jane.

It is unfortunately dated but for what it’s worth I think it’s a pretty name. I like it.

I only know Elaines who are in their 70s - a completely different generation from those in their 50s, so I don't see it as middle-aged, and not the same generation as Tracy, Donna, etc. I rather like it. It's got a lot of heritage behind it. Or you could have Helene.

Ok I didn't like it when I saw it as the thread title and I don't think it's due a comeback but saying it out loud, it's kind of grown on me. Something I've learnt when it comes to naming babies is that if you like it, use it! It doesn't matter so much what strangers think.

Hélène is very close but much more chic.

Elaine the Pain from Tracy Beaker

sshh don't tell anyone but I think its beautiful
what about Elena like vampire diaries (is sounds like elaine-a) so its more modern or Helene said the French way

awful. And it's my own name... I am an oddity. Under 30 and called Elaine, no idea what my mother was thinking. Forever having to clarify I'm Elaine not Lorraine. And some buggers call me Lainey which gives me irrational rage

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

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

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

Elaina is nice

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

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!

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

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

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

I love Elena nn Lainey

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!

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.

How funny, I was literally thinking just yesterday how pretty the name Elaine is, despite it being outdated.

I say go for it!

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

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?

Elaine the pain

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.