A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leonor since 1885
Babies named Leonor per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leonor's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 12 |
| 1890s | 53 |
| 1900s | 136 |
| 1910s | 422 |
| 1920s | 799 |
| 1930s | 550 |
| 1940s | 507 |
| 1950s | 549 |
| 1960s | 599 |
| 1970s | 579 |
| 1980s | 447 |
| 1990s | 440 |
| 2000s | 324 |
| 2010s | 363 |
| 2020s | 393 |
Meaning & origin
Leonor, recorded in the United States since at least 1885, reached its peak popularity in 1909 before declining. In recent years, the name has been rising again since 2003, often associated with cultural figures like Queen Letizia of Spain's daughter. As of 2025, it ranks #2256 with a 1-in-19,843 frequency, showing growing favor among parents seeking elegant, traditional names. The states with the highest usage include Massachusetts, Florida, and New York, reflecting diverse regional appeal.
Leonor is a Romance language form of the Greek-derived name Helen, meaning 'light' or 'torch'. It has been used in Spanish and Portuguese royal families since the Middle Ages, notably by Leonor of Aquitaine, though the name's exact etymology is sometimes debated. It has also been linked to the Latin verb 'lenire' (to soothe), giving an alternative interpretation of 'merciful' or 'compassionate'.
Where Leonor 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.
“Leonor” around the world
Where Leonor lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leo, Nora, Leni
Sibling names for Leonor
Names that share Leonor's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Isabella, Lucia, Valentina, Maria, Elodia, Romona, Ludivina, Madalena, Deolinda, Leonila, Bernarda, Casilda, Cleotilde, Dorotea, Olita, Senovia
Brothers: Felipe, Mateo, Sebastian, Diego, Alejandro, Apolinar, Apolonio, Catarino, Conrado, Eberardo, Leoncio, Ruperto, Avelino, Estanislao, Leocadio, Nuno, Ranulfo
