Lenora
Lenora is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Light, torch, or compassion.
Origin and history
Lenora is a classic female name derived as a short form of Eleanor or Eleanora, which traces back to Greek roots meaning 'light' or 'compassion'. It was a popular turn-of-the-twentieth-century name in the United States and has seen a mild revival in contemporary usage. Today, it offers a vintage, melodic alternative to names like Nora or Eleanor.
Popularity in the United States
37,058 babies in the United States have been named Lenora since 1880. It ranks #724 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #770.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8 %)
- NY (6.7 %)
- PA (5.7 %)
- IL (5 %)
- CA (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 785 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,108 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,541 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,038 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,093 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,456 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,023 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,588 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,560 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,527 |
| 1980-1990 | 914 |
| 1990-2000 | 491 |
| 2000-2010 | 465 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,401 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,068 |
Famous people named Lenora
- Lenora Crichlow: Actress
Nicknames
Nora, Lenny, Lennie, Norie
Fun facts
- Lenora originally developed as a contracted variant of Eleanora and Eleanor in English-speaking regions.
- The name was widely used in Victorian-era literature and experienced peak popularity in the U.S. late in the 19th century.