ELEANOR  

Gender: F
Origin: French variation of HELEN
Meaning: "bright, shining one"

Popularity in 2008: #256

In and out of fashion since Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine brought it from France to England in the twelfth century, this stately name is hot again. Big plus: it's a serious name, with a nickname -- Ellie -- that's seriously endearing. Diane Lane has an Eleanor, Katie Couric an Elinor.

Variations:
Norina, Ele, Elliner, Elenorah, Ellenor, Eleni, Elaney, Elanor, Ella, Helenora, Ellen, Elena, Heleonor, Ellenora, Nora, Helena, Lenora, Eleny, Elnore, Elli, Elleanor, Elienore, Leonore, Elaine, Elienora, Elianora, Nelley, Nelle, Nell, Nellie, Elnora, Elea, Ellinore, Helene, Elenor, Lina, Elie, Elani, Nelli, El, Nelda, Lena, Eileen, Elana, Elladine, Elanie, Ell, Norah, Leonora, Aleanor, Elanna, Elenie, Aline, Elania, Elynora, Ellie, Eleanora, Elyn, Elly, Ellyn, Helen, Elanee, Alenor, Ellenore, Elenore, Elle, Ellee, Aleonore, Ellene, Elna, Nonnie, Elleigh, Elan, Elanore, Ellinor, Elen, Ellenorah, Elynor, Lenore, Ellin, Allinor, Elleonor, Elianore, Leanora, Elanni, Heleanor, Nelly, Enora, Elynore, Leora

International Variations:
ÉlÉnora, Elinor, Eleanore, Elinore, Eléonore (French) Eilonóra, Ealanor (Gaelic) Eleonore (German) Eileanóra (Irish) Eleonora (Italian) Eleonora (Spanish) Eleonora (Swedish)

People who like Eleanor also like:

Willa, Cecilia, Clementine, Eliza, Mae, Eve, Evangeline, Felicity, Georgia, Grace, Imogen, June, Leah, Rose, Vera

Eleanor is being discussed in our message boards:

• Best of British - some Telegraph birth announcements
• Mayflower Names!
• Names in Your Child's Class/Daycare/Playgroup
• Yaaaay! A family,you have always dreamed of!
• narrowing my list...need help

Read Nameberry blog posts about Eleanor:

• OLD LADY NAMES: Ready for the Next Wave?
• IRISH NAMES NOW: What's doing in Dublin?
• HEROINE NAMES: Worthy Women with Notable Names, Part I-Trailblazers
• CORNISH BABY NAMES
• BEHIND THE NAMER