Elaine?

[jfoyo26]

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?

My mum in law's gobby sister so on that score, it's a HELL NO from me. Helen is gorgeous though.

Hardly a granny name yet. I know a few, age range 31-49 , which is worse, cos ut is not ripe for a come back. Saying that, i can see why you like it.
I prefer Ellen by far though.

Another vote for Eleni. Elaine is too 80s for me.

I love it. Makes me think of Elaine Mallory from The Dresden Files.

It's actually quite a pretty name, and was a character in Arthurian legend as you say. Unfortunately, as it was most popular in the 50s/60s you will get the knee jerk reaction from (blinkered) people that it's a name only for older middle-aged women.

But having said that I do prefer Helen/Helena/Eleanor if I'm honest. Also, with Louise, I wonder if the two names together are a little similar? Both heavily featuring the 'L' sound, don't you want to get more contrasting names with different sounds?

It's nicer than many of the current crop of 'granny' names like Agnes, Violet etc. Elaine just has different generational associations. Eleanor is no nicer, just happens to be more fashionable right now.

It’s a classic name that’s rarely used now. Go on, start the comeback!

My middle name is Elaine. I love it. Go for it OP.

It's a no from me.

Every Elaine I've had the misfortune to come into contact with hasn't been pleasant.

@Cacacoisfarraige your name is Elaine Marie? Mine is Marie Elaine

This is my name! I'm 38, most Elaines are about 20 years older than me! I have never been called Loony Lainey or Elaine the Pain, at least not to my face...
I like my name, but where I am in Scotland some people say Ahlaine and not E-laine and that bugs me.
I would be thrilled to bits to meet a baby Elaine but there are not many about, whenever I have checked the baby name lists for Scotland in recent years there has never been more than a handful of wee Elaines and one year there were none. So if you do use it, she is sure to be the only one in her school!

'Elaine Figgis, unlucky in love'

I knew a few a year older then me. (70,s baby) But I,m not keen. Saying that I don,t meet many these days so if your looking for something that is more unique then its good.

Objectively it’s a nice name, but I just think of a 60 year old librarian.

Lainey yes, it's lovely and goes very well with Louise.
Elaine, God no. Reminds me of a middle aged receptionist, absolutely awful!

Elaine to me is a 60 year old dinner lady.

I was named a name of middle aged women at the time I was born and have never liked my name for that reason- people always expect me to be 40 years older! But Lainey is lovely so I think you could get away with it :)

@Cacacoisfarraige great name!😊

Lainey is lovely

The pain

I’m Elaine, I’m 43 so I guess that counts as middle aged! I haven’t ever hated my name or wanted a different one but I suppose I’m relatively indifferent towards it really. It’s fine, and I like the Arthurian connection.

The only downside is, I’m a children’s social worker.

Bloody Tracy Beaker.

It’s got a nice sound to it and works well with Louise. Ruined for me unfortunately by a former colleague whose wife was Elaine. He’d phone her up multiple times during the working day and 9 times out of 10 they’d have a blazing row down the phone. I got so fed up of hearing him booming “Ohhh Eeeeelaiiiiiiiiinnne!” Poor woman.

I have a Lou & a Laney not Louise & Elaine though.

So on that basis I like it