A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lanora since 1888
Babies named Lanora per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1969, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lanora's real moment was 1902.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 39 |
| 1910s | 137 |
| 1920s | 230 |
| 1930s | 262 |
| 1940s | 237 |
| 1950s | 225 |
| 1960s | 289 |
| 1970s | 205 |
| 1980s | 166 |
| 1990s | 113 |
| 2000s | 82 |
| 2010s | 134 |
| 2020s | 121 |
Meaning & origin
Lanora is a name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1888 and saw its highest usage in 1902. After a period of decline, the name has been rising in popularity again since 2006, reflecting a broader revival of early 20th-century names. While not widely used today with a rank of 5,099 in 2025, its rarity (1 in 64,291 births) gives it a vintage, distinctive feel. The name has no strong ties to any particular state, making it a geographically neutral choice. Lanora's recent upward trajectory suggests it may continue to gain favor among parents seeking uncommon but familiar-sounding names derived from the popular Eleanor family.
Lanora is a variant of Lenore, itself a short form of Eleanor or Leonora. Eleanor likely derives from the Old French form of the Provencal name Alienor, of debated etymology but often traced to the Greek Helenē. The name emerged in the United States in the late 19th century, peaking in the 1900s and experiencing a revival in recent decades.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nora, Lana, Lorie
Sibling names for Lanora
Names that share Lanora's style, for a brother or sister.
