elke

Elke is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, widely used in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. In German- and Dutch-speaking contexts, Elke is primarily a personal name rather than a common noun. The exact etymology is not settled; the name is often described as a short form or variant of Elisabeth and sometimes linked to Adelheid, through medieval naming practices that produced many shortened forms. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and saw renewed popularity in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Notable people named Elke include Elke Sommer, a German actress and painter known for her work in European cinema; Elke Heidenreich, a German author and television presenter; and Elke Büdenbender, a German jurist and philanthropist who is the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The name remains in use in German-speaking regions and is occasionally found in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe.

In Dutch, elke means "every" or "each" and is used as a determiner before a noun (for example, elke dag means every day). This unrelated meaning sometimes leads to confusion for non-native speakers encountering the name in Dutch contexts.

Overall, Elke is recognized as a traditional female given name with roots in Germanic naming traditions and enduring modern usage.