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Home › Baby Names Directory › Leonore

Leonore

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEH-oh-nor /ˈlɛ.ə.nɔːr/Medium

Meaning: A French/German form of Eleanor (via Leonora/Leonore), commonly read as 'light; shining torch.' A graceful classic, familiar from Beethoven's Leonore overtures.Low

In 30 seconds: A luminous classic: Leonore is a form of Eleanor, 'light; shining' (said 'LEH-oh-nor'). Elegant and vintage.
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Origin MediumFrench, German
MeaningA French/German form of Eleanor (via Leonora/Leonore), commonly read as 'light; shining torch.' A graceful classic, familiar from Beethoven's Leonore overtures.
U.S. rank (2025)#12626 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,313

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818812025

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

Leonore comes from Eleanor, via Leonora/Leonore, commonly glossed 'light; shining torch.' Long used across France and Germany and famous in music, it reads elegant and vintage — rare in the U.S. (said 'LEH-oh-nor').

It appears rarely, next to Eleanor and Leonora. Rare, luminous, and elegant.

Did you know? Leonore is a French and German form of Eleanor — usually read as 'light; shining' — and the name behind Beethoven's Leonore overtures, giving it a rich, elegant heritage (said 'LEH-oh-nor').
Overall data confidence 52%
References — Leonore — French/German Eleanor; 'light; shining'

Variations

LeonoraLenoreEleonore

Nicknames

NoraLeo

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Leonore…

Leonora— the fuller form
Lenore— a short cousin
Eleanor— the classic root
Eleonora— a like elegant form

Explore names like Leonore

By themeclassicfrenchgermanlight
By meaningLightGraceBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Leonore mean?

Leonore is a French/German form of Eleanor, usually read as 'light; shining torch.'

How do you pronounce Leonore?

It's said LEH-oh-nor /ˈlɛ.ə.nɔːr/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Leonore a boy or girl name?

Leonore is a girl's name.

How popular is Leonore?

Leonore is a rare name in the U.S.

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