Elaina

While both Elaine and Elena are on an upward trajectory, Elaina has shifted up and down the charts in recent years, making no big moves in either direction. Steadily used, this blend of the two could make it clearer which pronunciation is preferred.

Combining elements of pan-European Elena with the Old French and Scottish Elaine, Elaina emerges as an Helen variant with the built-in nicknames Ellie, Ella, and Lainey.

Used occasionally since the 1940s, Elaina really took off in 1978, following the TV series, The Incredible Hulk which featured a character called Dr. Elaina Marks. In the 80s, it received another boost, thanks to American volleyball player and Olympic medallist, Elaina Oden.

In the US Top 300 since 2014, Elaina is given to around 1100 babies every year, making it around four times less popular than Elena, but used 40% more often than Elaine.

Pronounced uh-LAY-nuh.

As of October 2026, Elaina ranked #267 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #250 in 2020.