UK girl's name
Elleanor
A feminine name of English origin meaning "shining light".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Elleanor is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Elleanor popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3533, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 22 births.
This profile covers 196 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 195 living people in the UK are called Elleanor. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Elleanor ranked #3533 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 22 girls were registered as Elleanor.
- • About 195 living people in the UK are estimated to have Elleanor as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3533
2022
Births in 2022
6
Latest year
Peak year
1998
22 births
Estimated living
195
2026
Meaning
What does Elleanor mean?
The name Elleanor has its origins in the medieval French language and culture, derived from the Germanic elements "ali" meaning "other" and "arn" meaning "eagle". It emerged as a feminine form of the name Eleanor, which was popularized throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Elleanor can be traced back to the 12th century. Elleanor of Aquitaine, a powerful and influential figure in French history, ruled as the Duchess of Aquitaine and later became the Queen of France through her marriage to King Louis VII. Her life and reign had a significant impact on the political and cultural landscape of the time.
In the realm of literature, the name Elleanor gained prominence through the works of English playwright William Shakespeare. In his play "King John," a character named Elleanor, the widow of King Henry II, plays a pivotal role. This literary reference contributed to the name's enduring legacy and recognition.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Elleanor. One such figure was Elleanor of Provence (1223-1291), the wife of King Henry III of England and an influential political figure in her own right. Another prominent Elleanor was Elleanor of Castile (1241-1290), the wife of King Edward I of England and a renowned patron of arts and architecture.
In the realm of arts and culture, Elleanor Duse (1858-1924) was an Italian actress widely regarded as one of the greatest performers of her time. Her work helped shape modern acting techniques and influenced generations of actors to come.
Moving to more recent times, Elleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, left an indelible mark on history. She was a renowned humanitarian, diplomat, and advocate for human rights, and her impact extends far beyond her role as the First Lady of the United States.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the name Elleanor throughout history, each leaving their unique mark on their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Elleanor over time
The chart below shows babies named Elleanor registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Elleanor, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2022, compared with 22 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Elleanor by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Elleanor 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 | #4010 | 15 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4519 | 38 | 8 |
| 2000s | #2485 | 85 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1501 | 58 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Elleanor
- 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
Elleanor: questions and answers
How popular is the name Elleanor in the UK right now?
In 2022, Elleanor was ranked #3533 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Elleanor most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 22 babies registered as Elleanor in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Elleanor?
A feminine name of English origin meaning "shining light".
How many people are called Elleanor in the UK?
A total of 196 babies have been registered as Elleanor across the 25 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.