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Eleanor

♂ Boy

Pronounced EL-uh-nor /ˈɛl.ə.nɔr/Medium

Meaning: From the Provençal Alienor (linked to Greek, 'light; the shining one'); overwhelmingly a girls' name, here recorded for a boy; we flag the cross-sex useLow

In 30 seconds: Light; the shining one: Eleanor is Provencal/Greek — overwhelmingly a girls' name, here for a boy. Lyrical and classic (said 'EL-uh-nor').

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Origin LowProvençal, Greek

MeaningFrom the Provençal Alienor (linked to Greek, 'light; the shining one'); overwhelmingly a girls' name, here recorded for a boy; we flag the cross-sex use

U.S. rank (2025)#12559 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1927

Total births (all-time)≈ 645

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Eleanor comes from the Provencal Alienor (linked to Greek, 'light; the shining one'). It is overwhelmingly a girls' name; on this record it is given to a boy, which we flag honestly (slug distinguished; said 'EL-uh-nor').

In the U.S. it is almost entirely a girls' name. As a boy's name it is very rare, light-and-shining at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Eleanor (from Provencal Alienor, linked to Greek 'light; the shining one') is overwhelmingly a girls' name — here it is recorded for a boy, which we flag honestly (said 'EL-uh-nor').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Eleanor — cross-sex use flagged

Variations

ElinorEleanoreEleanora

Nicknames

Ellis

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Eleanor…

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Ellison— a companion El- boys' name

Everett— a kindred classic boys' name

Explore names like Eleanor

By themeuncertain greek cross-sex provencal

By meaningLight

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Eleanor mean?

Eleanor is Provençal/Greek, 'light; the shining one'. It is overwhelmingly a girls' name; here it is recorded for a boy, which we flag.

How do you pronounce Eleanor?

It's said EL-uh-nor /ˈɛl.ə.nɔr/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Eleanor a boy or girl name?

Eleanor is overwhelmingly a girls' name; this record is for a boy, which we flag honestly.

How popular is Eleanor?

As a boy's name Eleanor is very rare in the U.S.