Elinor

Meaning: The other Aenor
Origin: Variant of Eleanor · From Latin alia; the earlier root has the sense riches and fame (from Old Provencal/Latin, ultimately Germanic; Arabic light also suggested)

Girl's name · #1502 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Elinor was #252 in 1916, slipped to #5701 by 1973, and has climbed back to #1502 today. About 22,000 girls have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Elinor is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 19 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Elinor ranks in other countries and regions.

#316 in Norway (2025) · #885 in Sweden (2025) · #902 in Austria (2025) · #1,207 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,520 in Switzerland (2025) · #1,934 in France (2025) · #2,524 in Canada (2024).

Famous Elinors

Elinor Ostrom — American political economist (1933–2012)
Elinor Glyn — British novelist and scriptwriter (1864–1943)
Elinor Barker — Welsh racing cyclist
Elinor Donahue — American actor (born 1937)
Elinor Wylie — American poet (1885–1928)

In stories & tradition

Elinor Dashwood — Sense and Sensibility (book)
Elinor "Ellie" Walker — American fictional character
Elinor Dammert — The Flood (book)

What Elinors become

Among 147 notable people named Elinor:

Artists & writers appear 1.8× more often than among typical names — e.g. Elinor Glyn, British novelist and scriptwriter (1864–1943).

Similar names: Eleanore · Fern · Elina · Viola · Estelle · Honor

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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