Girl · Provençal (via Old French) · International
Eleanor
EleanorSay it EL-uh-nor
- Meaning today
- Light, bright one
- Original meaning
- "from Provençal Aliénor, a variant of Leonore; origin uncertain" Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Eleanor
- Say it
- EL-uh-nor
- Other spellings
- Elinor, Eleanore, Elenor
Eleanor
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Eleanor meaning
Eleanor is an international girl's name of Provençal origin (via Old French).
Meaning today
Light, bright one
Original Provençal (via Old French) meaning
"from Provençal Aliénor, a variant of Leonore; origin uncertain"
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Eleanor · entry Eleanor · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
Eleanor came to England from the south of France. Etymonline traces it to the Provençal name Aliénor, Old French Elienor, and notes that it was brought to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204), who was queen of France and then of England and mother of two English kings. Where Aliénor itself comes from is uncertain; one old explanation is Latin alia Aenor, "the other Aenor", since Eleanor of Aquitaine's mother was called Aenor. Name lists often give "light" or "bright one", by linking it to Helen, a connection etymonline does not make. Eleanor Roosevelt is a famous modern bearer.
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Eleanor · Wikipedia, Eleanor · Wikipedia, Eleanor of Aquitaine
Famous namesakes
- Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and of England
- Eleanor Roosevelt, US First Lady and diplomat
Popularity abroad
- #12 United States, girls 2025 (up 2 from 14 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #56 England and Wales, girls 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Eleanor · Elinor · Eleanore · Elenor