A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leonore since 1881
Babies named Leonore per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1928, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leonore's real moment was 1906.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 41 |
| 1890s | 109 |
| 1900s | 125 |
| 1910s | 424 |
| 1920s | 595 |
| 1930s | 308 |
| 1940s | 254 |
| 1950s | 144 |
| 1960s | 107 |
| 1970s | 86 |
| 1980s | 43 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 29 |
| 2020s | 38 |
Meaning & origin
Leonore is a variant of Eleonore, sharing roots with Eleanor and Lenore. First recorded in 1881, it reached its peak in 1906, then declined, but has been rising again since 2012. In 2025, it ranked 11,932, with a 1-in-229,610 occurrence. The name offers a classic European feel with multiple nickname options. Its trajectory shows a revival after decades of low usage, appealing to parents seeking a traditional yet distinct choice.
Leonore is a variant of Eleonore, itself from the Provençal Aliénor. The name was introduced to England by the French, and its meaning is often associated with light (from the Greek 'helene') or honor (from Germanic 'honor'). It has been used in various European royal families, contributing to its classic appeal.
“Leonore” around the world
Where Leonore lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
190
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leo, Nora, Lee, Lenore
Sibling names for Leonore
Names that share Leonore's style, for a brother or sister.
