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Baby names

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

Elaine?

104 replies

jfoyo26 · 10/11/2019 00:31

Love the meaning, look of this name, straight out the pages of Aurthurian legend!
Great nickname options...El, Lain, Lainey.
Possible sister to Louise...Think Louise and Elaine, plus nicknames Lou and Lainey, sound pretty good together IMO!

Thoughts?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
jfoyo26 · 10/11/2019 00:32

*Arthurian

OP posts:
Pepperpot99 · 10/11/2019 00:33

I love the name Elaine. You don't hear it so much these days.

MrTumblePulledAKnifeOnMe · 10/11/2019 00:34

I was going to say no, but after reading your post I quite like it!

sarahstanley · 10/11/2019 00:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BonBon411 · 10/11/2019 01:54

I know a Carey Elaine - I think it’s pretty!

Tryingtoslim · 10/11/2019 01:59

Like Elaine the pain?

DramaAlpaca · 10/11/2019 02:02

I actually think I really like it. Lou & Lainey, very nice. And I love that it's Arthurian, that appeals to me.

Astronica · 10/11/2019 03:12

Good name for the reasons you have given although rarely used these days. Goes well with sister Louise.

Bloomburger · 10/11/2019 03:38

Oooohhh no, it's like Vanessa, there is a Vanessa at DD's school and I always expect her to be middle aged and am shocked she's a child.

FridalovesDiego · 10/11/2019 03:49

It’s actually really pretty. I think I was just always put off because it was right common in the 80s. I prefer Eleni, but the nicknames you suggest are cool.

Mothership4two · 10/11/2019 04:07

Personally not keen on Elaine, as I knew a couple of horrible ones as a teenager. But if you like it...

campion · 10/11/2019 04:12

It's a 40s/ 50s/ 60s name in the UK like Christine, Lynn, Susan, Jackie, Debbie etc.
Eleanor is more of a classic.

Whattodoabout · 10/11/2019 06:25

Just makes me picture a middle aged woman who wants to speak to the manager.

funmummy48 · 10/11/2019 06:31

It reminds me of Elaine the pain from Tracey Beaker.

HeronLanyon · 10/11/2019 06:32

what that really made me laugh. I was an ‘Elaine’ a few days ago - even as I waited for the manager I was thinking ‘bloody hell - is this me now?’

Btw I like the name.

MrsMozartMkII · 10/11/2019 06:38

I like Elaine, but 'Lainey' would very quickly become 'Loony Lainey' at school.

guiltynetter · 10/11/2019 06:42

it's awful!

user1480880826 · 10/11/2019 07:03

It’s very middle aged

SnuggyBuggy · 10/11/2019 07:10

It's the wrong sort of old fashioned if you ask me. It's what I'd call a "Granny name"

AndAnotherNameChanger · 10/11/2019 07:16

I like it.

I like Elaine, but 'Lainey' would very quickly become 'Loony Lainey' at school

The Lainey I knew was never known as this (though kids can make rude nicknames for any name if they so choose)

Stollen23 · 10/11/2019 07:41

Elaine is beautiful! Goes well with Louise!

I don't know any middle aged Elaines so have no associations. But neither will her friends at school.

mistydayswampwitch · 10/11/2019 07:41

My best friend is an Elaine in her mid 30's. She only ever gets called Elaine or El for a nickname though. She absolutely hated it growing up as to be a teenage Elaine in the early 2000's was a bit weird. Every other Elaine was about 50. But now she thinks her name is beautiful!

Elaina, Elena, Eleni are probably much more modern names that won't result in teasing.

diddlediddle · 10/11/2019 08:05

Elaine is lovely, but lots of people will associate it with the baby boomer generation. I think the shortenings are all nice. Elena, Elene, Eleanor, Also nice.

Ignore people going on about nasty nicknames. What nonsense, you can make any name into an insult if you try. Lots of kids are called Leni now, which is the same sound as Lainey. No one is going to say looney Lainey - it's terribly old fashioned to use mental health slurs anyway as most kids are far more aware than their parents.

MissHenty · 10/11/2019 08:11

It’s unusual

Was Elaine ever that popular? I’ve actually never met one but am familiar with the name

Starryskiesinthesky · 10/11/2019 08:14

I’m not keen. Bit of a Karen, Sharon, Tracy name!

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