"compassion, sympathy"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Eleanor
Pronunciation: [ EHL-uhn-awr ]
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Regal and radiant, a name built for greatness
English
French
Spanish
American
Vintage
Elegant
Literary
Classic
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"foreign, the other"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
"bright, shining one"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
"other, foreign"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
"sun ray, bright light"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Eleanor
Eleanor most likely derives from the Old Provençal name Alienor, possibly from the Germanic element meaning other or foreign combined with honor. Another theory traces it to the Greek Helene, meaning torch or bright light. The name was brought to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century, one of the most powerful and influential women of the medieval world.
Eleanor faded from fashion in the mid-20th century but began a remarkable comeback in the 2000s, driven by a wave of vintage name enthusiasm. By the 2010s it was back in the top 20, fueled partly by the TV show The Good Place's Eleanor Shellstrop and a broader love of old-fashioned names with multiple nickname options.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was Queen of France and then England, mother of Richard the Lionheart, and a patron of courtly love poetry. Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of First Lady into an activist platform. The name carries centuries of strong, independent women.
Historical Record
Eleanor first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 113,007 babies have been named Eleanor in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Eleanor is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #14 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Eleanor of Aquitaine is the only person to have been queen of both France and England
- Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a daily syndicated newspaper column called My Day for 27 years
- The name has been held by multiple queens of England and France throughout history
Eleanor in Other Languages
French
Éléonore
German
Eleonore
Italian
Eleonora
Russian
Элеонора
Spanish
Leonor
Portuguese
Leonor
Popularity Over Time
#14
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Eleanor
E
Eleanor Tomlinson
Actor
1992
British actress known for Poldark and Jumping the Broom
E
Eleanor Roosevelt
Politician
1884
First Lady, diplomat, activist, and one of the most admired Americans of the 20th century
E
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Royalty
1122
Queen consort of France and England, and the most powerful woman of medieval Europe
E
Eleanor Shellstrop Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the NBC comedy The Good Place, played by Kristen Bell
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #14
- Total SSA Count
- 7,127
- Cultural Origins
- English French Spanish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Nell
Nora
Elle
Lea
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Eleanor
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Eleanor is also used as a boy name, ranked #8481.
View Eleanor as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eleanor
What does the name Eleanor mean?
"compassion, sympathy" (from Greek). "foreign, the other" (from Old French). "bright, shining one" (from Old French). "other, foreign" (from Germanic). "sun ray, bright light" (from Greek). Eleanor most likely derives from the Old Provençal name Alienor, possibly from the Germanic element meaning other or foreign combined with honor. Another theory traces it to the Greek Helene, meaning torch or bright light. The name was brought to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century, one of the most powerful and influential women of the medieval world.
What is the origin of the name Eleanor?
Eleanor has Greek, Old French, Germanic, English, French, Spanish, and American origins. In Greek, it means "compassion, sympathy". In Old French, it means "foreign, the other". In Old French, it means "bright, shining one". In Germanic, it means "other, foreign". In Greek, it means "sun ray, bright light".
Is Eleanor a boy or girl name?
Eleanor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #14. As a boy name, it is ranked #8481. Eleanor is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Eleanor?
Eleanor is pronounced EHL-uhn-awr.
How popular is the name Eleanor?
Eleanor is currently ranked #14 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Eleanor?
Common nicknames for Eleanor include Ellie, Nell, Nora, Elle, and Lea.
What are good middle names for Eleanor?
Popular middle name pairings include Eleanor Rose, Eleanor Jane, Eleanor Claire, Eleanor Grace, Eleanor Mae, Eleanor Ruth, and Eleanor Faye.
What are good sibling names for Eleanor?
Names that pair well with Eleanor as siblings include Oliver, Theodore, Cecily, Arthur, Harriet, Edmund, and Beatrice.
How many syllables does Eleanor have?
Eleanor has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Eleanor a common or rare name?
Eleanor is a very popular name, ranked #14 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Eleanor?
About the Name Eleanor
Eleanor is a girl name with English, French, Spanish, and American origins . The name means "compassion, sympathy" in Greek .
Is Eleanor a boy or girl name? Eleanor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #14 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,481. Eleanor is more commonly used as a girl name.
Eleanor is currently ranked #14 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Eleanor has 4 syllables and is pronounced EHL-uhn-awr, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Eleanor include Ellie, Nell, Nora, Elle, and Lea. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Eleanor include Eleanora, Eleanore, Eleana, Elea . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis