Elinor
Girl name · 108 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Elinor: 108 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 11 births in 1980.
Elinor is a graceful variant of Eleanor, ultimately derived from the Old French name Alienor, likely from the Provençal phrase *alia Aenor*, meaning "the other Aenor" — referring to a mother and daughter distinguished by the same name. The name came to Britain via the Normans and was popularized by Eleanor of Aquitaine. Modern bearers include actress Elinor Donahue and Nobel-winning economist Elinor Ostrom. While no significant places bear the exact spelling Elinor, the root appears in towns like Eleanor, West Virginia. Notably, Jane Austen cemented the name’s literary prestige with sensible, loving Elinor Dashwood in *Sense and Sensibility*, a character who has influenced countless parents choosing this timeless, understated classic.
Girl 22 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 198011 babies
- Latest (2020)
- #7653 babies
- Total births
- 108since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 10%vs prior 5y