Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Lenora
GirlEnglish, Italian· “form of Eleanor, origin uncertain”
- Meaning
- form of Eleanor, origin uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Italian
- Pronunciation
- luh-NAWR-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #539
- US babies 2025
- 562
- Best rank
- #183 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Lenora
Lenora is often said to mean “form of Eleanor, origin uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Italian roots.
Lenora is a variant of Leonora, which developed in Italy and Spain as a form of Eleanor. The origin of Eleanor itself is uncertain; it may come from the Provençal Aliénor, possibly derived from Aenor, a name whose meaning is unknown. Lenora has a romantic, nineteenth-century feel, and it echoes Edgar Allan Poe's Lenore, the lost love mourned in The Raven. The name sounds graceful and slightly dramatic, making it attractive to parents who like vintage names. Nora, Lena and Lenny are all available nicknames.
Popularity over time
Lenora 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 100 different years. Its best national rank was #183 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 678 were named Lenora. In 2025, 562 babies were named Lenora, and it ranked #539 nationally. That is 323% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #267 in 1920, #392 in 1950, #1,263 in 1980, #3,102 in 2000, #2,630 in 2010, and #539 in 2025. Of the 37,058 US girls named Lenora since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 4,588 babies. Since 2010, 3,469 more have been named Lenora.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Arline, Ila, Elnora, Carmela, and Reba.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lenora ranked highest in District of Columbia, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #175 | 5 |
| Wisconsin | #199 | 28 |
| Minnesota | #238 | 24 |
| Iowa | #241 | 15 |
| Oklahoma | #257 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lenora is usually pronounced luh-NAWR-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Lenora
A few middle names that flow with Lenora: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lenora
Similar names
Eleanora Girl
eh-lee-uh-NAWR-uh
“form of Eleanor, origin uncertain” · English
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JOO-lee-eht
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uh-LEG-ruh
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ah-leh-SAHN-druh
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BEE-uh-trihs
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vuh-NEH-suh
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Amara Girl
uh-MAHR-uh
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Francesca Girl
fran-CHEHS-kuh
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Barbara Girl
BAR-bruh
“foreign woman” · Greek
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Tiara Girl
tee-AR-uh
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Chiara Girl
KYAHR-uh
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Lists that include Lenora
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lenora mean?
Lenora is often said to mean “form of Eleanor, origin uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Italian roots.
What is the origin of the name Lenora?
Lenora has English and Italian roots. Lenora is a variant of Leonora, which developed in Italy and Spain as a form of Eleanor.
Is Lenora a popular name?
Yes. Lenora ranked #539 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lenora a boy or girl name?
Lenora is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lenora?
Lenora is usually pronounced luh-NAWR-uh. 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