Elinore is a charming and distinctive name of German origin, derived from the elements 'Helena' meaning 'torch, light', and '-berg' signifying 'mountain'. It was introduced into England by way of Normandy after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Elinore gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to its association with various historical figures and literary characters, such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, a prominent noblewoman of the High Middle Ages, and Queen Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I of England. The name was also carried by characters in works like 'The Faerie Queene' by Edmund Spenser and 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' by Mark Twain.
The name Elinore experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. Between 1887 and 1960, there were periods of notable increase, such as between 1901 to 1914 where the number of births annually ranged from 55 to 94. However, after 1960, the popularity of Elinore declined sharply, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded until it reached a low point in the late 1990s and early 2000s with only 5-7 births annually.
Since around 2003, there has been a slight resurgence in the name's popularity, with annual births ranging from 6 to 18. As of 2023, the total number of births recorded for Elinore stands at 2337 since 1887.