Elinor is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements "Hel" meaning "hiding place of the sun," and "nor" meaning "north." The name Elinor has been used since medieval times and was popularized in part by Sir Walter Scott's novel "The Heart of Midlothian," published in 1818. Throughout history, notable figures with the name Elinor include Queen consort Eleanor of Aquitaine (1124-1204), who played a significant role in the politics and culture of her time, and Elinor Wylie (1885-1928), an American poet known for her lyrical poetry.
The name Elinor experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the given period. It began with low numbers of births per year, starting from just 9 in 1880 and peaking at 176 by 1911, indicating a growing trend in its usage. However, after reaching this peak, there was a gradual decline until 1943 when it hit a low of 204 births. The name then began to rise again, albeit with fluctuations, reaching another peak of 172 births in 2021 and 2022. Overall, the total number of births for the name Elinor over this period is 21,346.