Eleanor is a name of English origin, derived from the Norman French name Alienor, which itself comes from the Germanic elements alja, meaning "other" or "foreign", and hild, meaning "battle". Thus, Eleanor translates to "other battle".
The name Eleanor was popularized in England during the medieval period due to its use by members of the royal family. The most notable bearer of this name was Eleanor of Aquitaine (1124-1204), who was a Duchess of Aquitaine in southwestern France and later became queen consort of both France and England through her marriages to Louis VII of France and Henry II of England respectively.
Eleanor of Aquitaine is considered one of the most powerful and influential figures of the High Middle Ages. She was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and military leadership, as well as her patronage of the arts and culture. Her legacy continues to this day, with many places and institutions named in her honor.
The name Eleanor has been used consistently throughout history but experienced a resurgence in popularity during the late 20th century. Today, it remains a beloved choice for parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their daughters.
The name Eleanor has a rich history and has been a popular choice for newborns in the United States for over a century. Let's explore the statistics of this beautiful name from 1880 to the present day.
In 1880, there were 129 babies named Eleanor born in the United States. The next year, the number of births decreased slightly to 110. However, from 1882 onwards, we see a steady increase in the popularity of this name, with 174 births that year. By 1895, there were 544 babies named Eleanor born in the United States.
The turn of the century marked a significant rise in Eleanor's popularity. In 1900, 753 newborns were given this name, and by 1912, that number had increased to 3120 births. The early 20th century was a time of great growth for Eleanor, with the highest number of births recorded in 1920 – just before World War I – totaling a remarkable 7546 babies named Eleanor.
However, following this peak, we see a decline in popularity throughout the mid-century. By 1973, only 266 newborns were named Eleanor. It seemed that the name had fallen out of fashion with the rise of more modern and unique names.
Nevertheless, Eleanor made a comeback starting from the late 1980s. In 1989, there were 357 babies named Eleanor, and by 2000, that number had nearly doubled to 771 births. The new millennium marked another significant rise in popularity for this classic name.
From 2000 onwards, Eleanor has consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby names in the United States, with over 6900 babies named Eleanor born in 2022 alone. In total, from 1880 to present day (as of 2023), there have been approximately 321,822 newborns named Eleanor in the United States.
The name Eleanor has proven itself to be timeless and enduring, having experienced periods of high popularity and decline over the years. Despite these fluctuations, it remains a beloved choice among parents today, with many families drawn to its rich history and elegant sound.