Elinor

A sleek, literary alternative to Eleanor, this stripped back form of Eleanor is a well-established spelling. It notably appears in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, borne by Elinor Dashwood, along with George Eliot's Middlemarch and Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind , as a middle name.

Ultimately a form of the Occitan Alienòr, a name that means "the other Aenor", Aenor referring to a an early bearer's mother, Elinor was a popular choice in the US back in the 1910s and 20s, but fell out of favor in the 50s. A recent year saw it given to 140 babies, making it a familiar, though quietly used spelling option.

On and off the UK charts since the 90s, Elinor could make a stand-out alternative to Eleanor, Ellie, and Ellen, or it could do visually at least. Sound-wise, they are often said identically to Eleanor, though Elinor might get you more emphasis on the final nor sound in England, at least.

Notable bearers include political economist Elinor Ostrom, Olympic cyclist, Elinor Barker. actress Elinor Lawless, and poet Elinor Wylie

Pronounced EL-uh-nor.

As of October 2026, Elinor ranked #1502 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #252 in 1916.