Eleanor
Eleanor is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Shining light or unknown/other.
Origin and history
Eleanor is a historic feminine name derived from the Old French Éléonore, originally tracing back to the Occitan name Aliénor. It was introduced to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century and remains exceptionally popular in the U.S. today.
Popularity in the United States
336,678 babies in the United States have been named Eleanor since 1880. It ranks #112 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #14.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.8 %)
- PA (10.5 %)
- MA (6 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
- CA (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,136 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,754 |
| 1900-1910 | 10,030 |
| 1910-1920 | 54,163 |
| 1920-1930 | 74,760 |
| 1930-1940 | 46,379 |
| 1940-1950 | 23,761 |
| 1950-1960 | 11,065 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,938 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,750 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,789 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,871 |
| 2000-2010 | 11,187 |
| 2010-2019 | 40,129 |
| 2020-2029 | 41,966 |
Famous people named Eleanor
- Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady, Diplomat
- Eleanor Tomlinson: Actress
Nicknames
Ellie, Ella, Nora, Elly, Lennie
Fun facts
- The name gained widespread popularity across Europe due to Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful women of the High Middle Ages.
- Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, greatly reshaped the role through her diplomacy and advocacy.