Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Eleonore
GirlFrench, German· “form of Eleanor”
- Meaning
- form of Eleanor (origin disputed)
- Origin
- French, German
- Pronunciation
- EH-lee-uh-nawr
- Syllables
- 5
- US rank 2025
- #8,002
- US babies 2025
- 13
- Best rank
- #881 (1887)
- Peak year
- 1923
Meaning and origin of Eleonore
Eleonore is often said to mean “form of Eleanor”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and German roots.
Eleonore is the German and French form of Eleanor. Eleanor comes from the Old French Aliénor, and its origin is uncertain. It is often explained as coming from the Occitan phrase alia Aenor, the other Aenor, used to distinguish Eleanor of Aquitaine from her mother, but this is not proven. Eleanor of Aquitaine was queen of France and then of England in the twelfth century, and royal women of Germany and Austria also carried the name. It is said eh-lay-oh-NOH-reh in German and EH-lee-uh-nawr in English. Nora and Ellie are nicknames.
Popularity over time
Eleonore first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #881 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 1923, when 33 were named Eleonore. In 2025, 13 babies were named Eleonore, and it ranked #8,002 nationally. That is 28% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,596 in 1920, #5,521 in 1950, #15,770 in 2000, #17,797 in 2010, and #8,002 in 2025. Of the 1,088 US girls named Eleonore since records began, 25% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 170 babies. Since 2010, 274 more have been named Eleonore.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Onnie, Verta, Clorinda, Aretta, and Lavone.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Eleonore is usually pronounced EH-lee-uh-nawr, with five syllables. It has eight letters, starts with E and ends in “-re”.
Middle names for Eleonore
A few middle names that flow with Eleonore: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Eleonore
Similar names
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Lists that include Eleonore
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Eleonore mean?
Eleonore is often said to mean “form of Eleanor”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and German roots.
What is the origin of the name Eleonore?
Eleonore has French and German roots. Eleonore is the German and French form of Eleanor.
Is Eleonore a popular name?
Not especially. Eleonore ranked #8,002 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Eleonore a boy or girl name?
Eleonore is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Eleonore?
Eleonore is usually pronounced EH-lee-uh-nawr. 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