Girl · 30th of 30,306
Eleanor
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
329,630
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1920
Peak Popularity Year
8,507
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Eleanor stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Eleanor is a name of Old French origin, derived from the Provençal and Latin roots meaning 'the other Aenor.' It evolved through various historical forms and has connotations of light-heartedness and brightness. The name gained prominence in the Middle Ages, especially due to its association with royalty. It has variants such as Elinor and Ellie, and is currently perceived as a classic and sophisticated name. There is no direct biblical relevance associated with it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛlɪnɔːr/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Eleanor is thought to have derived from the Old French name 'Aliénor,' which is believed to have been derived from the Provençal name 'Eleanor' or 'Alienor.' Its exact origins are uncertain, but it is often linked to the Latin 'Alia Aenor,' meaning 'the other Aenor.'
Meaning
light-hearted, shining light
Language Evolution
Aliénor, Eleanor, Elinor, Elinore
Historical Usage
Eleanor gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in England after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II in the 12th century. It became a fashionable name among the nobility and has remained in use ever since.
Variants & Derivatives
Elinor, Ellie, Nora, Lena
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Eleanor is viewed as a classic and elegant name. It has seen a resurgence in popularity, often associated with sophistication and strength.
Famous People
Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Eleanor Parker, Eleanor Tomlinson
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,507 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1938th of 7545 | 264 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1739th of 6773 | 312 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6287th of 7552 | 13 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15172nd of 16616 | 7 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 13264th of 23106 | 39 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 35th of 9107 | 125,800 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 59th of 9204 | 75,573 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 251st of 12526 | 21,684 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 548th of 19264 | 5,294 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 614th of 27321 | 5,457 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 266th of 35406 | 19,450 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30th of 30306 | 68,089 |