← All names

Lainey

Girl name · 46 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Lainey: 46 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 19 births in 2024.

Lainey is most often a modern, affectionate diminutive of Elaine or Helen, ultimately from the Greek Helene, meaning “torch” or “light.” It also occasionally appears as a variant of the surname Lane, given as a first name. Country music star Lainey Wilson has brought the name into the spotlight with her Grammy-winning storytelling, while television personality Lainey Lui is known for her work on “The Social.” A more obscure but charming note: in some parts of Scotland, Lainey has been used as a pet form of Eilidh, which itself stems from Helen and shares that luminous meaning—perfect for parents drawn to names that feel both sunny and rooted. Its alternative spelling, Laney, offers a slightly different rhythm.