But back to you and YOUR dilemma:
The name Elaine reminds me of my friend I had that I used to take horseback riding lessons with, and I always called her Ellie, her brother called her Lainey or Layna, while her dad called her E. (he and her bro were Jay so maybe that’s why. Lol). She now has a daughter named Eliana whom she calls Ellie or Ella sometimes.
Do you have any “off-beat” nicknames any friends or family members call (or ever called) you? As suggested, what about your middle name or a nickname of your middle name?

And autocorrect added some errors in language.

There are no real nicknames for my name. So I couldn’t comfortably go by a nick name. The ones people make up are not real names and usually sound like cutesy pet names.

And although I moved many times, I never could feel comfortable introducing myself as anything but my given name even when I had a fresh start and could choose an alias.

So, I’ve grown to just “be my name”.

I still don’t love my name. It is not feminine enough and there are boys named it. I hate that. I’m not Irish. Not at all. And I hate that people always ask or assume I am partly because of my very Irish name. But I can’t seem to see myself as anything else.

I do wish my parents never expressed regret in their name for me. I wish they loved it. My middle name is very common but in spite of that I love it because it came from my family and it means a lot to my mom. So it means a lot to me too. But because my first name was a momentary favorite with out more meaning I don’t prefer it.

I wanted to be a Heather, Elizabeth, Jennifer, or Catherine. Pretty feminine names you never mistake for a boy that do not sound common or plain and which have so many nick names, or in the case of Heather is just beautiful on its own.

So I know how Elaine feels.

Also…just dream of a handsome young man whispering your name with an “I love you”….Elaine is so much better than something like “Apple” or “Piper”….and eventually it will be part of your family history.
I am a Mom now….and at this time in my life that’s the best name ever. As parents we do things we like or think is right at the time for our children. I like your name and am curious why your Mom chose it…maybe you are named after her favorite aunt or someone else that meant a lot to her. It might help you to learn about that person and their strengths or accomplishments (in context with women’s
struggles from that era.)
There may be a time when you might be having the same discussion with your daughter. Everything seems to last so long and be so important when you are a teenager. It is normal to want to fit in but somehow be unique…yet not “stick out”…think of it; what a fine line to walk….and a bit boring (only in retropsect)
Many things teens think are going to last forever do not; heartache; some friendships; you’re current idea of true love….your first name will always be your “first” name no matter what you decide your last name chnages if you want it to if you choose to marry.
Think of it
Its much more important “who you are” than the name you are called. And when old classmates recall good times and funny stories they won’t have to clarify which Anne or Laurie they are talking about…”Elaine was the greatest!”
Elaine’s story is up to you.

It doesn’t feel old lady to me, it has a french sort of sound to it and a freshness which comes from the beautiful maidens of legend. It’s feminine without being frilly, elegant but not fussy.

I think most teenagers find grown up sounding names hard and end up resorting to nicknames because they don’t seem to ‘fit’,just be patient – one day you will want an elegant grown up sounding name and I think it will grow on you.