Elnora
Primarily a girl's name of Greek origin with 21,345 recorded births. Also given to 27 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Elnora has been chosen by over 21,345 American families since 1880, peaking at 639 births in 1924. That track record means built-in familiarity — people will know how to spell it, say it, and place it culturally.
In the most recent SSA release, Elnora ranks #5480 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Elnora is a girl's and boy's baby name of Greek origin, an American elaboration of Eleanor or Eleonora, from the Greek Helene, meaning 'bright one' or 'shining light' — combined with the -ora suffix that appears in names like Leonora and Elnora.
With over 21,000 recorded births, Elnora is a classic American name with its greatest popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It carries the dignified warmth of Eleanor in a form that is distinctly American — the -nora ending gives it a soft, Southern American quality that has made it beloved across generations. It's a name with genuine American folk-music warmth.
EtymologyShow more
Elnora first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1880. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Greek classification suggests a path from greek linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elnora climbed 3388 spots in the last 20 years — from #8868 to #5480.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 117 | #5675 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 163 | #7866 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 84 | #12070 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 97 | #9257 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 181 | #4594 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 262 | #3069 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 646 | #1492 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,339 | #847 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 2,269 | #509 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 3,362 | #351 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 5,405 | #285 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 4,279 | #259 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 1,648 | #254 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 914 | #291 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 579 | #257 | — |
The Story of Elnora
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Elnora is a name steeped in history. Girls named Elnora are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Elnora?
Only about 1 in every 156,522 babies born in 2024 was named Elnora — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 5,405 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Elnora by the numbers
- More Elnoras than the population of a small U.S. town
- Would fill 445 school buses
- Meeting one Elnora per day would take 58.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | #5480 |
| 2023 | 34 | #4216 |
| 2022 | 25 | #5206 |
| 2021 | 21 | #5806 |
| 2020 | 14 | #7667 |
| 2019 | 19 | #6244 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10813 |
| 2017 | 29 | #4721 |
| 2016 | 20 | #6241 |
| 2015 | 20 | #6298 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8185 |
| 2013 | 11 | #9786 |
| 2012 | 18 | #6948 |
| 2011 | 13 | #8774 |
| 2010 | 10 | #10648 |
| 2009 | 10 | #10917 |
| 2008 | 9 | #11887 |
| 2007 | 10 | #11076 |
| 2006 | 10 | #10826 |
| 2005 | 7 | #13428 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Elnora as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Elnora has also been given to 27 boys in the U.S. since 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elnora a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elnora most popular?
How popular is the name Elnora?
Can Elnora be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024