Elinor

girlOccitan

Elinor is an girl name of Occitan, via English origin, meaning “Origin uncertain; form of Eleanor”.

MeaningOrigin uncertain; form of Eleanor
GenderGirl
OriginOccitan, via English
PronunciationEL-ih-nor
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States, Sweden, Israel

Meaning and origin of Elinor

Elinor is an older English spelling of Eleanor, from the Occitan Aliénor, whose origin is uncertain; it may mean 'the other Aenor', after Eleanor of Aquitaine's mother. The link often made with Greek Helen is not certain. Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility features Elinor Dashwood, and economist Elinor Ostrom, the first woman to win the Nobel economics prize, is a notable bearer.

Is Elinor a religious name?

Elinor has no particular religious background; it is a variant of the medieval European name Eleanor.

How popular is Elinor?

Less common than Eleanor but steadily used in English-speaking countries and Scandinavia.

Gifts with the name Elinor

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Spellings and variants of Elinor

EleanorElinoreEleonoraElin

Names similar to Elinor

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Elinor mean?

Elinor means 'Origin uncertain; form of Eleanor'. It is of Occitan, via English origin.

Does Elinor have a religious meaning?

Elinor has no particular religious background; it is a variant of the medieval European name Eleanor.

How do you pronounce Elinor?

Elinor is pronounced EL-ih-nor.

Is Elinor a boy or girl name?

Elinor is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.