Isabella Girl
ih-zuh-BEH-luh
“God is my oath” · Spanish
#7
Elanor
GirlEnglish· “variant of Eleanor; origin uncertain”
- Meaning
- variant of Eleanor; origin uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- EHL-uh-nor
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,635
- US babies 2025
- 127
- Best rank
- #1,618 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Elanor
Elanor is often said to mean “variant of Eleanor; origin uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
Elanor is best known from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, where it is the name of a small golden flower in Lothlórien and later of Sam Gamgee's eldest daughter. In Tolkien's invented Elvish language, the name combines words for star and sun. In ordinary use, Elanor is also a simplified spelling of Eleanor, whose own origin is uncertain; Eleanor is often linked to Aliénor, a form from Provence. It is pronounced EHL-uh-nor. Ellie and Nora are natural nicknames.
Popularity over time
Elanor first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,618 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 129 babies. In 2025, 127 babies were named Elanor, and it ranked #1,635 nationally. That is 108% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,968 in 1920, #8,184 in 2000, #4,426 in 2010, and #1,635 in 2025. Of the 1,930 US girls named Elanor since records began, 33% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 477 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Laia, Adore, Hadassa, Lenna, and Blakeleigh.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elanor ranked highest in Idaho, Missouri, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | #422 | 5 |
| Missouri | #663 | 8 |
| Washington | #698 | 9 |
| Indiana | #844 | 7 |
| Virginia | #1233 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Elanor is usually pronounced EHL-uh-nor, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with E and ends in “-or”.
Middle names for Elanor
A few middle names that flow with Elanor: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elanor
Similar names
Eleanor Girl
EL-uh-nor
“uncertain; from Old French Alienor” · French
#12
Elenor Girl
EH-luh-nor
“variant of Eleanor” · English
#3,660
Alexa Girl
uh-LEK-suh
“defender of men” · Greek
#1,029
Addyson Girl
AD-ih-suhn
“variant of Addison, 'son of Adam'” · English
#1,413
Saylor Girl
SAY-lur
“sailor; possibly 'dancer'” · English
#217
Savanna Girl
suh-VA-nuh
“grassy plain” · Spanish
#1,090
Evelin Girl
EV-uh-lin
“uncertain; variant of Evelyn” · American (modern coinage)
#2,159
Imogen Girl
IM-uh-jen
“uncertain; possibly 'maiden'” · English
#1,117
Avalon Girl
AV-uh-lon
“island of apples” · Welsh
#1,459
Sequoia Girl
sih-KWOY-uh
“the sequoia tree” · English
#1,987
Verity Girl
VEH-ruh-tee
“truth” · English
#1,482
Anora Girl
uh-NOR-uh
“variant of Honora, honor” · Latin
#1,485
Lists that include Elanor
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elanor mean?
Elanor is often said to mean “variant of Eleanor; origin uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
What is the origin of the name Elanor?
Elanor has English roots. Elanor is best known from J.
Is Elanor a popular name?
Not especially. Elanor ranked #1,635 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Elanor a boy or girl name?
Elanor is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Elanor?
Elanor is usually pronounced EHL-uh-nor. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings