Lenore
Lenore is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Light or torch; bright, shining one.
Origin and history
Lenore is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived as a reduced form of Eleanor or Helen. It achieved wide literary prominence in the 19th century through Edgar Allan Poe's famous poems. In the United States, it enjoyed moderate popularity in the early to mid-20th century and remains a recognizable, classic choice.
Popularity in the United States
22,968 babies in the United States have been named Lenore since 1880. It ranks #965 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1645.
States where it is most popular
- NY (25.7 %)
- IL (10.9 %)
- PA (9.3 %)
- CA (7.9 %)
- MI (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 218 |
| 1890-1900 | 544 |
| 1900-1910 | 937 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,778 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,254 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,602 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,266 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,775 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,927 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,030 |
| 1980-1990 | 352 |
| 1990-2000 | 157 |
| 2000-2010 | 161 |
| 2010-2019 | 511 |
| 2020-2029 | 456 |
Famous people named Lenore
- Lenore Romney: Politician, Public figure
- Lenore Marshall: Poet, Author
- Lenore Kasdorf: Actress
Nicknames
Lenny, Lennie, Nora, Lori
Fun facts
- Lenore is featured prominently in Edgar Allan Poe's famous 1845 poem 'The Raven' as the narrator's lost love.
- The name evolved as a variant of Eleanor, which ultimately traces back to the ancient Greek name Helen.