The name Alienor is of French origin and is derived from the Occitan name "Alenor," which was brought to France by Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was born in either Poitiers or Bordeaux around 1122-1124 AD.
The name Alienor means "the other Aél" with "Aél" being a shortened form of the Germanic name Adalheidis. The name Adalheidis is composed of two elements: "adal," meaning noble, and "heid," meaning kind or bright. Therefore, the name Alienor can be interpreted as meaning "noble and bright."
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a significant figure in medieval history. She was the Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right and became queen consort of France (1137-1154) and then of England (1154-1204) through her marriages to Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, respectively. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and political acumen.
The name Alienor has been associated with several other notable figures throughout history. Eleanor's daughter by her second marriage, also named Eleanor (later known as Eleanor of Provence), married King Henry III of England in 1236. Another famous bearer of the name was Eleanor, Countess of Comminges, a trobairitz or female troubadour who flourished around the middle of the 13th century.
Despite its noble origins and historical significance, Alienor remains relatively uncommon today, but it has been used throughout history in France, England, and other parts of Europe. It is considered a unique and elegant choice for a given name.
"In 2022, seven individuals were named Alienor."