UK girl's name
Eleonor
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "shining light" or "bright one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Eleonor is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Eleonor popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 5 births.
This profile covers 41 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 41 living people in the UK are called Eleonor. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Eleonor ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 5 girls were registered as Eleonor.
- • About 41 living people in the UK are estimated to have Eleonor as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4192
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2004
5 births
Estimated living
41
2026
Meaning
What does Eleonor mean?
The name Eleonor has its origins in the Old French form "Elienor", derived from the Occitan word "Aliénor". This name traces its roots back to the Germanic name "Adualnore", composed of the elements "adual" meaning "other" and "nore" meaning "honor". The earliest recorded spelling of the name can be found in the 12th century.
Eleonor gained widespread popularity due to its association with the influential Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204), one of the most powerful and prominent figures of the Middle Ages. As the Duchess of Aquitaine and later as the Queen of England, she played a significant role in the affairs of medieval Europe.
Another notable bearer of the name was Eleanor of Castile (1241-1290), the first wife of King Edward I of England. She accompanied her husband on the Eighth Crusade and was renowned for her courage and devotion.
In the 14th century, Eleanor of Woodstock (1318-1349), the daughter of King Edward II of England, was a prominent figure known for her involvement in the baronial rebellion against her uncle, King Edward III.
The name Eleonor also gained recognition through the life of Eleanor of Portugal (1328-1348), who was the Queen of Aragon and played a significant role in the political and cultural affairs of the Iberian Peninsula.
In the 15th century, Eleanor of Navarre (1426-1479) was a notable figure who served as the Queen of Navarre and played a crucial role in the struggle for independence against the Kingdom of Aragon.
Throughout history, the name Eleonor has been associated with strength, nobility, and influence, reflecting the legacy of its illustrious bearers. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its rich historical significance and its connection to powerful and influential women who left an indelible mark on the course of events.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Eleonor over time
The chart below shows babies named Eleonor registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Eleonor, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Eleonor by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Eleonor was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4213 | 19 | 4 |
| 2010s | #5728 | 9 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3861 | 9 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Eleonor
- Emily 121,621
- Ella 69,101
- Ellie 63,522
- Evie 52,944
- Emma 50,755
- Eleanor 40,576
- Elizabeth 39,225
- Erin 34,816
- Eva 29,738
- Evelyn 26,911
- Elsie 23,671
- Emilia 22,167
FAQ
Eleonor: questions and answers
How popular is the name Eleonor in the UK right now?
In 2024, Eleonor was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Eleonor most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 5 babies registered as Eleonor in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Eleonor?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "shining light" or "bright one".
How many people are called Eleonor in the UK?
A total of 41 babies have been registered as Eleonor across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.