Elinor
Elinor is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Bright, shining one, or foreign 'other'.
Origin and history
Elinor is a variant spelling of Eleanor, which traces back through Old French and Occitan to the Greek name Helen. Historically associated with medieval nobility, it remains a traditional choice in the United States. While less common than the Eleanor spelling, Elinor maintains a steady, timeless presence.
Popularity in the United States
21,640 babies in the United States have been named Elinor since 1880. It ranks #1012 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1245.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.4 %)
- MA (10.6 %)
- PA (9.5 %)
- CA (7.4 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 137 |
| 1890-1900 | 277 |
| 1900-1910 | 656 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,010 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,761 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,762 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,829 |
| 1950-1960 | 836 |
| 1960-1970 | 417 |
| 1970-1980 | 217 |
| 1980-1990 | 232 |
| 1990-2000 | 405 |
| 2000-2010 | 733 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,424 |
| 2020-2029 | 944 |
Famous people named Elinor
- Elinor Ostrom: Economist, Political scientist
- Elinor Wylie: Poet, Novelist
- Elinor Donahue: Actress
Nicknames
Ellie, Elly, Nora, Norah, Ella
Fun facts
- Elinor Dashwood is one of the main protagonists in Jane Austen's famous 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility.
- The name originally developed in medieval Europe, notably popularized by Eleanor of Aquitaine.