"compassion, sympathy"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Eleanor
Pronunciation: [ EHL-uhn-awr ]
Girl Name
#14 Most Popular
Rising
4 Syllables
Regal and radiant, a name built for greatness
English
French
Spanish
American
Vintage
Elegant
Literary
Classic
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"foreign, the other"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
"bright, shining one"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
"other, foreign"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
"sun ray, bright light"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
The Story of Eleanor
Eleanor most likely derives from the Old Provençal name Alienor, possibly from the Germanic element meaning other or foreign combined with honor. Another theory traces it to the Greek Helene, meaning torch or bright light. The name was brought to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century, one of the most powerful and influential women of the medieval world.
Eleanor faded from fashion in the mid-20th century but began a remarkable comeback in the 2000s, driven by a wave of vintage name enthusiasm. By the 2010s it was back in the top 20, fueled partly by the TV show The Good Place's Eleanor Shellstrop and a broader love of old-fashioned names with multiple nickname options.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was Queen of France and then England, mother of Richard the Lionheart, and a patron of courtly love poetry. Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of First Lady into an activist platform. The name carries centuries of strong, independent women.
Fun Facts
- Eleanor of Aquitaine is the only person to have been queen of both France and England
- Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a daily syndicated newspaper column called My Day for 27 years
- The name has been held by multiple queens of England and France throughout history
Eleanor in Other Languages
French
Éléonore
German
Eleonore
Italian
Eleonora
Russian
Элеонора
Spanish
Leonor
Portuguese
Leonor
Famous People Named Eleanor
E
Eleanor Tomlinson
Actor
1992
British actress known for Poldark and Jumping the Broom
E
Eleanor Roosevelt
Politician
1884
First Lady, diplomat, activist, and one of the most admired Americans of the 20th century
E
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Royalty
1122
Queen consort of France and England, and the most powerful woman of medieval Europe
E
Eleanor Shellstrop Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the NBC comedy The Good Place, played by Kristen Bell
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #14
- Total SSA Count
- 7,127
- Cultural Origins
- English French Spanish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Nell
Nora
Elle
Lea
Pairs Well With
Eleanor Rose
Eleanor Jane
Eleanor Claire
Eleanor Grace
Eleanor Mae
Eleanor Ruth
Eleanor Faye
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Eleanor is also used as a boy name, ranked #8481.
View Eleanor as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eleanor
What does the name Eleanor mean?
"compassion, sympathy" (from Greek). "foreign, the other" (from Old French). "bright, shining one" (from Old French). "other, foreign" (from Germanic). "sun ray, bright light" (from Greek). Eleanor most likely derives from the Old Provençal name Alienor, possibly from the Germanic element meaning other or foreign combined with honor. Another theory traces it to the Greek Helene, meaning torch or bright light. The name was brought to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century, one of the most powerful and influential women of the medieval world.
What is the origin of the name Eleanor?
Eleanor has Greek, Old French, Germanic, English, French, Spanish, and American origins. In Greek, it means "compassion, sympathy". In Old French, it means "foreign, the other". In Old French, it means "bright, shining one". In Germanic, it means "other, foreign". In Greek, it means "sun ray, bright light".
Is Eleanor a boy or girl name?
Eleanor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #14. As a boy name, it is ranked #8481. Eleanor is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Eleanor?
Eleanor is pronounced EHL-uhn-awr.
How popular is the name Eleanor?
Eleanor is currently ranked #14 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Eleanor?
Common nicknames for Eleanor include Ellie, Nell, Nora, Elle, and Lea.
What are good middle names for Eleanor?
Popular middle name pairings include Eleanor Rose, Eleanor Jane, Eleanor Claire, Eleanor Grace, Eleanor Mae, Eleanor Ruth, and Eleanor Faye.
What are good sibling names for Eleanor?
Names that pair well with Eleanor as siblings include Oliver, Theodore, Cecily, Arthur, Harriet, Edmund, and Beatrice.
How many syllables does Eleanor have?
Eleanor has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Eleanor a common or rare name?
Eleanor is a very popular name, ranked #14 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Eleanor
Eleanor is a girl name with English, French, Spanish, and American origins . The name means "compassion, sympathy" in Greek .
Is Eleanor a boy or girl name? Eleanor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #14 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,481. Eleanor is more commonly used as a girl name.
Eleanor is currently ranked #14 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Eleanor has 4 syllables and is pronounced EHL-uhn-awr, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Eleanor include Ellie, Nell, Nora, Elle, and Lea. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Eleanor include Eleanora, Eleanore, Eleana, Elea . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.