Eleanor is a name of English origin, derived from the Norman French name Aliénor. The name Aliénor was originally a diminutive of the Occitan feminine given name Aëla, which meant "other" or "foreign". Eleanor therefore means "other" or "foreign".
The name Eleanor has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Eleanor of Aquitaine (1124-1204), who was a Duchess of Aquitaine in southwestern France and later became Queen Consort of France and then England through her marriages to Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, respectively. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and strong will, and her legacy continues to inspire literature, film, and other forms of art.
Eleanor has also been used as a given name in various cultures throughout history. In medieval England, it was often used as a female given name, while in the United States, Eleanor became particularly popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Eleanor is still widely used as a given name around the world.
Overall, Eleanor is a historic and elegant name with a rich meaning and an impressive legacy associated with it. It has been embraced by many cultures throughout history and continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a timeless and meaningful name for their daughters.
The name Eleanor has been a relatively uncommon choice for babies born in the United States over the past century, with fluctuations in its popularity over time. According to the statistics provided, there were periods where the name was more frequently chosen, such as between 1922 and 1931 when it ranged from 15 to 30 births per year. However, during other years, the number of births with the name Eleanor was much lower, sometimes only a single digit.
Notably, there were no recorded births with the name Eleanor in several years between 1943 and 2009. This suggests that the name may have fallen out of favor or been considered less popular during these periods. However, since the late 2000s, there has been a resurgence in its usage, with an average of around five births per year from 2009 to 2023.
Overall, the total number of babies named Eleanor in the United States over this period is 630. Despite its ups and downs in popularity, the name Eleanor has remained a unique and distinctive choice for parents throughout different eras.