Eleanor
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Bright, shining one; the other Aenor
Origin: Old French Aliénor — possibly from the Occitan alin (other) + aenor (a Frankish personal name meaning honor)
Popularity: Ranked #12 in 2025 with 7,649 babies born.
History: Eleanor has been a name of queens, saints, and trailblazers across nearly a thousand years of history. Eleanor of Aquitaine — queen of both France and England in the 12th century — was one of the most powerful women of the medieval world. Eleanor Roosevelt redefined the role of First Lady and became a global humanitarian icon. The name faded through the mid-20th century but has made one of the most celebrated comebacks in recent naming history, re-entering the U.S. top 20 by the 2010s. Ellie and Nora are its delightful nicknames.
Famous people named Eleanor: Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady), Eleanor Rigby (Beatles song), Eleanor Shellstrop (The Good Place)
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Eleanor? About 1 in 435 babies born in 2025 were named Eleanor, or roughly 21 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Eleanor
What does the name Eleanor mean?
Eleanor means “Bright, shining one; the other Aenor” from Old French Aliénor — possibly from the Occitan alin (other) + aenor (a Frankish personal name meaning honor) roots.
What is the origin of the name Eleanor?
Eleanor has Old French Aliénor — possibly from the Occitan alin (other) + aenor (a Frankish personal name meaning honor) origin. The traditional meaning is “Bright, shining one; the other Aenor”.
How popular is Eleanor?
Eleanor ranked #12 in 2025 — given to 7,649 babies that year.
When was Eleanor most popular?
Eleanor peaked in 1920 with 8,497 babies registered that year.
Is Eleanor a boy or girl name?
Eleanor is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Eleanors in registered births are female.
Is the name Eleanor rising or falling in popularity?
Eleanor has risen 10 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #22 in 2020 to #12 in 2025.
How long has Eleanor been recorded?
Eleanor appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.