Eleanor
Old French girl's name meaning “uncertain; perhaps 'the other Aenor'”
- Gender
- Girl
- Origin
- Old French
- Meaning
- uncertain; perhaps 'the other Aenor'
- Syllables
- 3
- Letters
- 7
- US rank (2023)
- #14
- Born in 2023
- 6,757
- Peak year
- 2023 (#14)
Meaning & origin
Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, of uncertain origin — perhaps 'the other Aenor' (from her mother's name). Its popular reading as 'light' stems from a mistaken link to Helen. Eleanor of Aquitaine made it a royal favourite in the 12th century.
Is Eleanor a French name?
Yes — Eleanor is a French name meaning "uncertain; perhaps 'the other Aenor'". Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, of uncertain origin — perhaps 'the other Aenor' (from her mother's name). Its popular reading as 'light' stems from a mistaken link to Helen. Eleanor of Aquitaine made it a royal favourite in the 12th century.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Eleanor ranked #14 for girls. It has risen about 92 places over the past ten years — a name clearly on the way up.
In 2023, 6,757 US girls were given the name Eleanor.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #14 in 2023
“Unranked” means Eleanor was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more girl names starting with E.
How to spell Eleanor
Eleanor is spelled E-L-E-A-N-O-R — 7 letters and 3 syllables. Alternative spellings people use include Elinor, Eleanora.
Variants
Elinor, Eleanora
Nicknames
Nora, Ellie, Nell
Eleanor: frequently asked questions
What does the name Eleanor mean?
Eleanor is a Old French name meaning "uncertain; perhaps 'the other Aenor'". Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, of uncertain origin — perhaps 'the other Aenor' (from her mother's name). Its popular reading as 'light' stems from a mistaken link to Helen. Eleanor of Aquitaine made it a royal favourite in the 12th century.
Where does the name Eleanor come from?
Eleanor is of Old French origin. Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, of uncertain origin — perhaps 'the other Aenor' (from her mother's name). Its popular reading as 'light' stems from a mistaken link to Helen. Eleanor of Aquitaine made it a royal favourite in the 12th century.
Is Eleanor a boy or a girl name?
Eleanor is most commonly a girl's name.
How many babies are named Eleanor?
In 2023, 6,757 US girls were given the name Eleanor.
Is Eleanor a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Eleanor ranked #14 for girls. It has risen about 92 places over the past ten years — a name clearly on the way up.
What are common nicknames for Eleanor?
Common nicknames for Eleanor include Nora, Ellie, Nell.
How do you spell Eleanor?
Eleanor is spelled E-L-E-A-N-O-R. Related spellings include Elinor, Eleanora.
How common is the name Eleanor?
In 2023, 6,757 US girls were given the name Eleanor. In the latest US data, Eleanor ranked #14 for girls. It has risen about 92 places over the past ten years — a name clearly on the way up.
Is Eleanor a French name?
Yes — Eleanor is a French name meaning "uncertain; perhaps 'the other Aenor'". Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, of uncertain origin — perhaps 'the other Aenor' (from her mother's name). Its popular reading as 'light' stems from a mistaken link to Helen. Eleanor of Aquitaine made it a royal favourite in the 12th century.
What does Eleanor mean in French?
In French, Eleanor means "uncertain; perhaps 'the other Aenor'". Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, of uncertain origin — perhaps 'the other Aenor' (from her mother's name). Its popular reading as 'light' stems from a mistaken link to Helen. Eleanor of Aquitaine made it a royal favourite in the 12th century.