Eleanor

Eleanor is a feminine given name used in English-speaking countries. The name’s origin is uncertain; it is commonly linked to the medieval French name Aliénor and the form Alienor. Some scholars derive Eleanor from a Latinized form of Aliénor, while others connect it to Helen or to the name Aenor. The modern spelling Eleanor emerged in the late Middle English period.

Historically, the name gained prominence through Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204), queen consort of France and England, and a powerful medieval figure. Over the centuries it remained common in English-speaking countries and has seen revivals in various eras; usage in the United States and the United Kingdom peaked in the mid-20th century.

Notable people named Eleanor include Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962), First Lady of the United States and human rights advocate; Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204); Eleanor Bron (born 1938), actress; Eleanor Catton (born 1985), novelist and Booker Prize winner; Eleanor Tomlinson (born 1992), actress; and Eleanor Parker (1922–2013), actress. In fiction, Eleanor Rigby is a character in a Beatles song, and Eleanor Shellstrop is the protagonist of the television series The Good Place.

Diminutives include Nell, Nellie, Ella, and Ellie. International variants include Eleonora (Italian, Portuguese Eleonora), Eleonore, Ellinor, and Elena.