UK girl's name
Leonore
A feminine name of German origin meaning "lioness" or "shining light".
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.
Leonore is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Leonore 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 2018, with 7 births.
This profile covers 38 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2015 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 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 38 living people in the UK are called Leonore. 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
- • Leonore ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 7 girls were registered as Leonore.
- • About 38 living people in the UK are estimated to have Leonore 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
2018
7 births
Estimated living
38
2026
Meaning
What does Leonore mean?
Leonore is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German name Lionnord or Leonhard, which is composed of the elements "lewo" (lion) and "hard" (brave or hardy). The name was initially associated with strength, courage, and nobility, qualities symbolized by the lion.
The name Leonore gained widespread popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions such as Germany, France, and the Low Countries. It was often bestowed upon women of noble birth or those with a strong and independent spirit. The variant spellings Leonora and Eleonore were also common during this period.
One of the earliest known references to the name Leonore can be found in the 8th century poem "Nibelungenlied," which tells the story of a brave and loyal woman named Leonore. Additionally, the name appears in various religious texts and medieval chronicles, further solidifying its significance during that era.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Leonore. One of the most renowned was Leonore of Aquitaine (1122-1199), a powerful and influential figure in the court of King Henry II of England. Another notable Leonore was Leonore of Portugal (1458-1525), a Portuguese princess who served as the Queen of Portugal and later as the Queen of Aragon and Sicily.
In the realm of literature, the name Leonore is perhaps best known through the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. His play "Torquato Tasso" features a character named Leonore d'Este, while his famous poem "Faust" includes the character of Gretchen, whose full name is Margarethe Leonore.
Other notable Leonores include Leonore Tawney (1876-1964), an American teacher and social activist, and Leonore Annenberg (1918-2009), a renowned American philanthropist and diplomat.
The name Leonore has endured throughout the centuries, carrying with it a sense of strength, nobility, and resilience. Its rich history and cultural significance have ensured its continued popularity across various regions and cultures, making it a timeless and iconic name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Leonore over time
The chart below shows babies named Leonore registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2015 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 Leonore, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Leonore by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Leonore 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 | #3746 | 17 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4805 | 21 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Leonore
- Lily 72,956
- Lucy 70,663
- Lauren 50,664
- Leah 33,185
- Lola 24,525
- Layla 24,520
- Laura 23,471
- Lilly 21,714
- Lydia 18,353
- Libby 14,515
- Lara 13,415
- Lacey 13,406
FAQ
Leonore: questions and answers
How popular is the name Leonore in the UK right now?
In 2024, Leonore was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Leonore most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 7 babies registered as Leonore in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Leonore?
A feminine name of German origin meaning "lioness" or "shining light".
How many people are called Leonore in the UK?
A total of 38 babies have been registered as Leonore across the 8 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.