Eleanor
EL-uh-nor /ˈɛl.ə.nɔːr/
Meaning of Eleanor
Eleanor's roots are debated. The traditional explanation is that it derives from the Occitan Alienòr, said to mean 'the other Aenor' (the original bearer being Eleanor of Aquitaine, named after her mother Aenor). A competing theory links it to a Germanic root meaning 'foreign' or 'other.' Some etymologists connect it to Greek elaia ('light, ray of sun'), though this is less well supported.
Current popularity of Eleanor
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #15 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #50 |
Notable bearers of Eleanor
Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204); Eleanor Roosevelt; Eleanor Rigby (Beatles song).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Eleanor — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31