Alaina

Alaina is the feminine form of the French male name Alain which is the equivalent to Alan. The name Alan originated in Brittany, an area of northwest France that is distinctly Celtic in origin, and was brought to the British Isles by way of the Norman Conquest. The name’s Celtic etymology comes from the word “alp, ail” meaning ‘rock’ which can also be found in the modern Irish “ailín” meaning ‘little rock.’ Related perhaps is the Gaelic meaning ‘cheerful and harmonious’ or the Scottish Gaelic “àlainn” meaning ‘beautiful.’ There were a couple early St. Alans from Brittany and Cornwall which likely influenced the name’s usage in the Middle Ages. However, it was the Norman Conquest of England that had the most significant impact. William the Conqueror’s army at the Battle of Hastings (1066) was largely comprised of men from Brittany. One of his finest allies, Alan, the Earl of Brittany, was awarded large swaths of land in England for his participation. Alan (French: Alain; Welsh: Alun) and Allan/Allen have always been fairly popular names in Brittany and on the British Isles since medieval times. Due to its popularity, feminine versions of the name were soon to be developed. Alaina is the French example of this. Alana is the English.