Holding steady.
Popularity of Elnor since 1904
Babies named Elnor per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elnor's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 34 |
| 1910s | 215 |
| 1920s | 292 |
| 1930s | 190 |
| 1940s | 90 |
| 1950s | 22 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Elnor is a rare American first name that first appeared in records in 1904, reaching its peak usage in 1909. The name has never ranked nationally, indicating it was always uncommon. Its trajectory has been stable, with occasional use in isolated cases. Elnor likely originated as a variant of Elnora or a diminutive of Eleanor, fitting the pattern of compound 'El' names. Despite its obscurity, Elnor carries a quaint, early 20th century charm, similar to other brief flowerings of unique names from that era.
Elnor likely emerged as a variant of Elnora, which itself is considered a combination of the prefix 'El' (from names like Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath') and 'Nora' (from Honora, meaning 'honor'). Alternatively, it may be a shortened form of Eleanor, ultimately from the Provençal name Aliénor. The name saw limited use in the United States in the early 20th century, first recorded in 1904 with a peak in 1909.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ellie, Nora
Variants: Elnora
Sibling names for Elnor
Names that share Elnor's style, for a brother or sister.
