Rising since 1986, #862 for girls today.
Popularity of Eleanora since 1880
Babies named Eleanora per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 133 |
| 1890s | 280 |
| 1900s | 381 |
| 1910s | 1,156 |
| 1920s | 1,313 |
| 1930s | 692 |
| 1940s | 353 |
| 1950s | 261 |
| 1960s | 142 |
| 1970s | 63 |
| 1980s | 57 |
| 1990s | 82 |
| 2000s | 249 |
| 2010s | 1,527 |
| 2020s | 1,633 |
Meaning & origin
Eleanora is a vintage name that has seen a quiet resurgence. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it reached its highest rank yet in 2025, ranking 862. With a current frequency of 1 in 5,135 births, its trajectory has been rising since 1986. The name appears in the 2020s decade without a full revival, but it retains classic appeal. Top states include Oregon, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Eleanora offers a romantic, slightly formal alternative to the more common Eleanor, and it fits a trend of reintroducing Victorian-era names.
Eleanora is a Latinate elaboration of Eleanor. The name Eleanor itself first appears in the medieval period, notably with Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century). Its exact derivation is uncertain: it may be from the Occitan name Alienor, perhaps a variant of Aenor, with the phrase "la autre Aenor" (the other Aenor) distinguishing the younger from her mother. Alternatively, it might have Germanic roots from the elements "al" (all) or "ald" (old) and "norð" (north). Eleanora emerged as a more ornate form in the 19th century, favored in English-speaking countries.
Where Eleanora is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ella, Ellie, Nora, Lee, Lena
Sibling names for Eleanora
Names that share Eleanora's style, for a brother or sister.
