National Elaine Day – October 16, 2022, history, significance
National Elaine Day is annually celebrated on October 16. It raises a salute to every Elaine around the world and recognizes their uniqueness. The holiday is an excellent time to pore through past correspondences, learn fun activities, and understand why women named Elaine are so unique. Delve into the history of this wonderful name right here with us at National Today!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ELAINE DAY
‘Elaine’ is a Greek girl’s name meaning ‘sunbeam’ or ‘bright light.’ However, it may also mean ‘hot torch.’ Moreover, it’s the English translation for the French name ‘Helen,’ brought to Scotland during the years when Scotland and France were fighting England.
The name Helen is thought to refer to Helen of Troy, a stunningly beautiful Greek woman whose kidnapping started a war between two city-states. However, Elaine is a combination of Elaina, Elayne, and Helen — which Saint Helena of Constantinople popularized.
The use of Elane was also influenced by Welsh/Celtic mythology — primarily by Elaine of Astolat, who loved Lancelot in the legends of King Arthur and the Round Table. However, it wasn’t until Lord Tennyson published “Idylls of the Kings” and “The Lady of Shalott” in the mid-19th century that Elaine became a more readily adopted name in England and Scotland.
In the U.S., Elaine had started climbing the top 100 list by the early 1920s and stayed there for nearly four decades, peaking at number 42 in 1938. But after the 1960s, the name’s popularity started to plummet because it seemed “old-fashioned,” and a further decline was seen in the 2000s. The name hasn’t recovered its previous trajectory so far, nor is it likely to.
NATIONAL ELAINE DAY TIMELINE
4th Century
Saint Helena of Constantinople
Saint Helena becomes known as Elaine by the English.
1066
The Discovery of Elaine
The name Elaine is used in the borders of Shropshire after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
1920s
The First Appearance of Elaine
Elaine appears in the top 100 name list in the early 1920s.
2018
The Top 50 German Baby Names List
The name enters the top 50 baby names list in Germany.
NATIONAL ELAINE DAY ACTIVITIES
Buy tickets for a show
National Elaine Day is a time to have some fun. Spend money on tickets to a magic show, play, or concert you’ve always wanted to see.
Read some books
Why not do something you like on your special day? Reread one of your favorite books if you prefer solitude over a wild party.
Redecorate your home
Are you considering purchasing a new couch or luxurious bedding? It’s time to reward yourself. Working with an interior designer is a good option, but you can also do it on your own.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE NAME ELAINE
It’s the 147th most popular name
Elaine is the 147th most prevalent given name in the U.S.
It’s a common American name
Elaine is one of the most common names in the United States, with 136 people named Elaine for every 100,000 people.
Elaine is used as a first name
Most of the time, Elaine is used as a first name.
There’re over 179,000 Elaines in America
There are 179,941 people named Elaine in the U.S.
Elaine is not unisex
Elaine is a girl’s name.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL ELAINE DAY
It gives us a reason to be happy
National Elaine Day is an excellent time for fine wine and dining, parties, and picnics. It gives us a reason to rejoice and makes us feel happier and relaxed.
It has a history
People’s names tend to have a long and illustrious history. Some names can be traced all the way back to the first century! On National Elaine Day, celebrate the fact that your name has a 1,500-year-old lineage.
It’s a dual celebration
Consider yourself fortunate to have a birthday and name day. Every year, you effectively get two days that are solely yours. You get to celebrate your existence twice a year.
