Girl
Elinor
bright light
About Elinor
Distinguished and refined, Elinor represents a return to classic elegance with a slightly unconventional spelling. This variation of Eleanor offers a literary connection, most notably to Jane Austen's sensible heroine in "Sense and Sensibility." The name suggests intelligence, grace, and quiet strength—qualities that never go out of style. Elinor has a sophisticated air without seeming pretentious, walking that fine line beautifully. It offers several charming nickname possibilities, including Ellie, Nora, or Nell, giving your daughter options as she grows. The name has historical depth, having been borne by queens and notable women throughout centuries, yet it never feels dated. Elinor's three syllables create a rhythmic flow that pairs well with both short and long surnames. For families who appreciate traditional names but want something slightly less common than the standard spelling, Elinor provides an ideal solution. It's a name that will serve her well from childhood through a distinguished career.
Popularity of the Name Elinor
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #596 | ||
| 1881 | #642 | ||
| 1882 | #609 | ||
| 1883 | #770 | ||
| 1884 | #593 | ||
| 1885 | #508 | ||
| 1886 | #559 | ||
| 1887 | #704 | ||
| 1888 | #554 | ||
| 1889 | #519 | ||
| 1890 | #552 | ||
| 1891 | #595 | ||
| 1892 | #771 | ||
| 1893 | #457 | ||
| 1894 | #562 | ||
| 1895 | #628 | ||
| 1896 | #507 | ||
| 1897 | #500 | ||
| 1898 | #494 | ||
| 1899 | #597 | ||
| 1900 | #470 | ||
| 1901 | #469 | ||
| 1902 | #562 | ||
| 1903 | #505 | ||
| 1904 | #453 | ||
| 1905 | #430 | ||
| 1906 | #411 | ||
| 1907 | #355 | ||
| 1908 | #378 | ||
| 1909 | #336 | ||
| 1910 | #344 | ||
| 1911 | #295 | ||
| 1912 | #275 | ||
| 1913 | #281 | ||
| 1914 | #275 | ||
| 1915 | #259 | ||
| 1916 | #252 | ||
| 1917 | #265 | ||
| 1918 | #265 | ||
| 1919 | #263 | ||
| 1920 | #257 | ||
| 1921 | #269 | ||
| 1922 | #277 | ||
| 1923 | #273 | ||
| 1924 | #268 | ||
| 1925 | #287 | ||
| 1926 | #271 | ||
| 1927 | #269 | ||
| 1928 | #287 | ||
| 1929 | #281 | ||
| 1930 | #296 | ||
| 1931 | #289 | ||
| 1932 | #326 | ||
| 1933 | #288 | ||
| 1934 | #310 | ||
| 1935 | #336 | ||
| 1936 | #339 | ||
| 1937 | #373 | ||
| 1938 | #385 | ||
| 1939 | #413 | ||
| 1940 | #407 | ||
| 1941 | #430 | ||
| 1942 | #458 | ||
| 1943 | #524 | ||
| 1944 | #576 | ||
| 1945 | #676 | ||
| 1946 | #633 | ||
| 1947 | #748 | ||
| 1948 | #747 | ||
| 1949 | #771 | ||
| 1950 | #972 | ||
| 1951 | #855 | ||
| 1952 | #831 | ||
| 1953 | #945 | ||
| 1997 | #310 | ||
| 1998 | #309 | ||
| 1999 | #398 | ||
| 2000 | #405 | ||
| 2001 | #466 | ||
| 2002 | #482 | ||
| 2003 | #386 | ||
| 2004 | #552 | ||
| 2005 | #590 | ||
| 2006 | #707 | ||
| 2008 | #655 | ||
| 2010 | #981 | ||
| 2011 | #980 | ||
| 2012 | #953 | ||
| 2015 | #895 | ||
| 2016 | #877 | ||
| 2019 | #994 | ||
| 2020 | #974 | ||
| 1995 | #547 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Ireland
Variations of Name Elinor
Names Similar to Elinor
Nicknames for Elinor
- Eli
- Ellie
- Nora
- Nori
- Lin
Famous People Named Elinor
| Elinor Ostrom | Nobel Prize-winning economist and political scientist |
| Elinor Smith | Aviation pioneer and the youngest licensed pilot in the world in 1927 |
| Elinor Donahue | American actress known for her roles in classic TV shows |
| Elinor Wylie | American poet and novelist |
| Elinor Fair | Silent film actress during the 1910s and 1920s |
| Elinor Burkett | Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author |
| Elinor Lipman | Bestselling American author |
| Elinor Barker | British Olympic gold medalist cyclist |
| Elinor Morton Wylie | Prominent American poet and writer |
| Elinor Crawley | Welsh actress known for her roles in historical dramas |
Characters Named Elinor
| Elinor Dashwood | From Jane Austen's novel "Sense and Sensibility" |
| Elinor Carlisle | Agatha Christie's character in "Sad Cypress" |
| Elinor Crawley | A character in the TV series "Versailles" |
| Elinor Greene | A character in the novel "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern |
| Elinor "Ellie" Arroway | Protagonist of Carl Sagan's novel "Contact," played by Jodie Foster in the film adaptation |
| Elinor Vandebilt | A character in the movie "The Great Gatsby" |
| Elinor "Ellie" Walker | A character in the TV series "The Andy Griffith Show" |
| Elinor "Nell" Trent | From Charles Dickens's novel "The Old Curiosity Shop" |
| Elinor Caiman Sands | A character in the webcomic "Gunnerkrigg Court" |
| Elinor "Ellie" Bishop | A character in the TV series "NCIS" |