Given name
Elayne
“the shining light”
Elayne is a variant of Elaine. In French use, Elaine carries the interpretation “the shining light.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Elayne is a variant of Elaine. In French use, Elaine carries the interpretation “the shining light.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1912. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Elayne is a variant of Elaine. The history of Elaine gives this family its wider story. Elaine’s literary history includes the stories of King Arthur and his knights.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Elayne through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,114
- 0 boys · 4,114 girls
- Most popular year
- 1946
- 104 babies
- 2025
- 40
- #3,732 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +9%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 40 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,732 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 8.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 104 in 1946. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,971 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Elayne
- Elayne ArringtonAmerican mathematician and engineerborn 1940
- Elayne BooslerAmerican comedianborn 1952
- Elayne AngelAmerican body piercerborn 1960
Characters named Elayne: Elayne Trakand (The Wheel of Time).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Elayne, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ellayne
“the shining light”
5% boys · 95% girls
Ellaine
“the shining light”
>99% girls
Wanda
“a wanderer”
>99% girls
Élaine
“the shining light”
>99% girls
Elaene
“the shining light”
>99% girls
Esoude
“a woman known for her beauty”
—
Esolte
“a woman known for her beauty”
—
Esotte
“a woman known for her beauty”
—