Elanor is a unique and elegant name of English origin. It is derived from the Latin word 'elector', which means 'to choose'. The name was popularized by J.R.R. Tolkien in his fantasy series "The Lord of the Rings". In the books, Elanor is a character who plays a significant role as one of the children of Samwise Gamgee and Rosie Cotton. Despite its literary origins, Elanor has not gained widespread popularity as a given name. It is still considered rare and distinctive, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique name for their daughter.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Elanor has seen a significant increase in popularity over time in the United States.
From the early 1900s to the late 1940s, there were consistently fewer than 20 births per year with the name Elanor. The number of births fluctuated annually between 6 and 18 during this period, suggesting that the name was relatively uncommon.
However, starting from the mid-1970s, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Elanor each year. From 1974 onwards, the annual birth count for the name consistently exceeded 5 births per year.
The most significant growth occurred between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Between 1996 and 2003, the number of babies named Elanor nearly tripled, from 8 births in 1996 to 29 births in 2003.
This upward trend continued into the new millennium, with the annual birth count for Elanor reaching a peak of 128 births in 2023. This is a significant increase compared to the early years of the century when there were fewer than 50 births per year with this name.
Overall, these statistics indicate that while Elanor was once an uncommon name, it has become increasingly popular over time in the United States. The consistent growth in popularity suggests that many parents have chosen this name for their daughters in recent decades.