Eleanor: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced EL-uh-nor · 3 syllables
Eleanor means “from Alienor, ’the other Aenor’; popularly ’light’”, from French.
The first known bearer was Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204), Provencal Alienor, perhaps from Latin alia (“other”) and her mother's name Aenor, its meaning thereby said to be “the other Aenor”.
- Meaning
- from Alienor, ’the other Aenor’; popularly ’light’
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- EL-uh-nor
- US rank (2025)
- #12
- US babies a year
- about 7,124 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1910
- Style
- Vintage, Comeback, Rising, Classic
- Nicknames
- Ellie, Ella, Nora, Nellie
How popular is Eleanor?
Eleanor was the #12 name in the US in 2025, given to 7,654 babies. It’s rising: up 127% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1910.
Most popular in Maine (#2), Wisconsin (#2), Indiana (#3), Vermont (#3), Michigan (#4), Minnesota (#4), Missouri (#4), Arkansas (#5).
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #12 |
| England & Wales | #53 |
| Scotland | #115 |
| Northern Ireland | #192 |
| Ireland | #106 |
| France | #338 |
| Canada | #34 |
| Australia | #36 |
How old are people named Eleanor?
Half of US adults named Eleanor are older than 68; most are between 19 and 92. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Eleanor
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Eleanor have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Eleanor
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
- Eloise
- Evelyn
- Josephine
- Rosalie
- Lucille
- Adele
- Genevieve
- Clementine
- Estelle
- Millicent
- Elinor
- Alys
- Charlotte
- Alice
- Ruby
- Violet
On these lists
- The most popular girl names in the US
- Classic girl names
- Vintage girl names
- Comeback girl names
- Rising girl names
- French girl names
Questions about Eleanor
What does the name Eleanor mean?
Eleanor means “from Alienor, ’the other Aenor’; popularly ’light’”. It comes from French.
How do you pronounce Eleanor?
Eleanor is pronounced EL-uh-nor.
How popular is the name Eleanor?
Eleanor was the #12 name in the US in 2025, given to 7,654 babies. It’s rising: up 127% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1910.
How old are people named Eleanor?
Half of US adults named Eleanor are older than 68. Most are between 19 and 92.