Leonora

Leonora is a feminine given name used in many languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is a variant of Leonore and related names such as Leona and Leonor, and is sometimes linked to the root element leon- meaning lion. The form Leonore is common in German and French usage, while Leonora and Leona are common in English and Iberian languages.

The name has appeared in literature, music, and art. In music, Leonore is best known as the title of Ludwig van Beethoven's early overtures to the opera that would become Fidelio; the composer created several Leonore overtures before finalizing the work, which is often performed as Fidelio.

In geography, Leonora is the name of a town in Western Australia, located in the Goldfields-Esperance region and associated with gold mining and regional history.

Notable people bearing the name include Leonora Carrington (1917–2011), a British-born Mexican surrealist painter, whose work contributed significantly to 20th-century art. The name continues to be used today in various cultures, with modern spellings and forms reflecting regional linguistic traditions.