The first name Eleanor
A girl’s name from Latin meaning “other”, “the other aenor”, “riches”.
Pronounced /ˈɛləˌnoɹ/ 3 syllables Female
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Eleanor means “other”, “the other aenor”, “riches” in Latin.
The first known bearer was Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204), Provençal Aliénor, perhaps from Latin alia (“other”) and her mother's name Aenor, its meaning thereby said to be “the other Aenor”. This Aenor seems to come from earlier Adenordis, which might be some corruption of Adamardis, feminine form of Ademar or Adamarus, from Proto-West Germanic *Audamār, from the Proto-Germanic elements *audaz (“riches”) + *mēraz (“fame”). An Arabic origin from نُور (nūr, “light”) has also been suggested. Eleanor has often been erroneously interpreted as a variant of Helen. More at Eleanor on Wikipedia. Also see Aenor.
More names that mean famous, light.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 776 girls were named Eleanor, making it the 56th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 2,747 births (#20).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Eleanor with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Eleanor at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 7,649 girls born in the United States were named Eleanor, the 12th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1920, when 8,497 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Eleanor in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Eleanor
95 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Eleanor RooseveltAmerican diplomat and activist, First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 (1884–19
- Eleanor ParkerAmerican actress (1922-2013)
- Eleanor H. PorterAmerican novelist (1868–1920)
- Eleanor F. HelinAmerican astronomer (1932-2009)
- Eleanor FarjeonEnglish children's writer, 1881–1965
- Eleanor MarxEnglish writer, translator, activist, and daughter of Karl Marx (1855–1898)
- Eleanor TomlinsonBritish actress (born 1992)
- Eleanor PattersonAustralian athletics competitor, born 1996
- Archduchess Eleanor of AustriaArchduchess of Austria (1534-1594)
- Eleanor PowellDancer, actress, 1912–1982
- Eleanor BoardmanAmerican actress (1898–1991)
- Eleanor Hallowell AbbottAmerican author (1873–1958)
More Latin girls’ names
Questions
- What does the name Eleanor mean?
- Eleanor means “other”, “the other aenor”, “riches” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Eleanor?
- The first known bearer was Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204), Provençal Aliénor, perhaps from Latin alia (“other”) and her mother's name Aenor, its meaning thereby said to be “the other Aenor”. This Aenor seems to come from earlier Adenordis, which might be some corruption of Adamardis, feminine…
- How popular is the name Eleanor?
- In 2025, 776 girls born in England and Wales were named Eleanor, ranking 56th. Its peak was 1997, with 2,747 births.
- What are nicknames for Eleanor?
- Common nicknames for Eleanor include Elle, Nellie.
- Is Eleanor a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 337,323 US babies named Eleanor since 1880 were girls.
- When was Eleanor most popular?
- 1920 in the United States, when 8,497 babies were named Eleanor, its highest rank at 25th.
- How do you pronounce Eleanor?
- Eleanor is /ˈɛləˌnoɹ/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Eleanor?
- Elinor, Lenore, Lenora and Eleanora.