Eleanor: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

Updated March 26, 2024

Table of contents

Girl name origins & meanings

Greek : Mercy
Greek : Torch

What does Eleanor mean and stand for?

Of English origin, Eleanor derives from the Provencal phrase alia Aenor, meaning "other Aenor." In the twelfth century, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine brought the name to England from France. From there, the name continued to grace medieval royalty until it became popular elsewhere.

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Girl name variations

How Popular Is The Name Eleanor

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, Eleanor has been consistently popular, remaining in the top 100 since 2014, and made a jump to the top 50 in 2016.

However, it is the 7th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Eleanor was at its peak popularity in June 2016.

While many believe Eleanor is a variation of Helen via Ellen, the name Eleanor derives from the phrase alia Aenor. This means "other Aenor," which was used to distinguish the original Eleanor from her mother Aenor. Various royal members held the name Eleanor, but it was made most popular by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.