Isabella Girl
ih-zuh-BEH-luh
“God is my oath” · Spanish
#7
Eleanor
GirlFrench, English· “uncertain; from Old French Alienor”
- Meaning
- uncertain; from Old French Alienor (origin disputed)
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- EL-uh-nor
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #12
- US babies 2025
- 7,649
- Best rank
- #12 (2025)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Eleanor
Eleanor is often said to mean “uncertain; from Old French Alienor”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and English roots.
Eleanor comes from the Old French Alienor, a name whose origin is not certain. A popular explanation traces it to the Occitan phrase alia Aenor, the other Aenor, after Eleanor of Aquitaine was named to distinguish her from her mother Aenor, but that remains a theory. Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and then of England, brought the name to prominence, and Eleanor of Castile, queen of Edward I, kept it royal. Eleanor Roosevelt gave it an American association with public service. Today it is a strong vintage revival. Ellie, Nora and Nell are all nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Eleanore.
Popularity over time
Eleanor has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #12 in 2025, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 8,497 were named Eleanor. In 2025, 7,649 babies were named Eleanor, and it ranked #12 nationally. That is 72% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #25 in 1920, #199 in 1950, #677 in 1980, #375 in 2000, #166 in 2010, and #12 in 2025. Of the 336,678 US girls named Eleanor since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 54,163 babies. Since 2010, 82,095 more have been named Eleanor.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Gladys, Lucille, Thelma, Louise, and Lillian.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Eleanor ranked highest in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Maine.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Eleanor is usually pronounced EL-uh-nor, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-or”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Eleanore.
Middle names for Eleanor
A few middle names that flow with Eleanor: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Eleanor
Similar names
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Lists that include Eleanor
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eleanor mean?
Eleanor is often said to mean “uncertain; from Old French Alienor”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Eleanor?
Eleanor has French and English roots. Eleanor comes from the Old French Alienor, a name whose origin is not certain.
Is Eleanor a popular name?
Yes. Eleanor ranked #12 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Eleanor a boy or girl name?
Eleanor is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Eleanor?
Eleanor is usually pronounced EL-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