Given name
Leonore
“the shining light”
Leonore is a variant of Lenore. In Greek use, Lenore carries the interpretation “the shining light.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Leonore is a variant of Lenore. In Greek use, Lenore carries the interpretation “the shining light.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Leonore connects to the Eleanor name family through Lenore. Eleanor reached English through an Old French reshaping of the Old Provençal name Alienor. Eleanor’s deeper linguistic origin is uncertain, despite the well-documented medieval route into England.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
Leonore connects to the Eleanor name family through Lenore. The shared background comes through Eleanor: The clearest sequence is Alienor into an Old French form and then English Eleanor. Beyond that, the suggested Helen connection competes with a possible Germanic origin; similarity to a familiar name is not enough to resolve the question.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1881. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Leonore connects to the Eleanor name family through Lenore. The history of Eleanor gives this family its wider story. Eleanor of Aquitaine, who married Henry II, brought the name from southwestern France to England in the twelfth century. Eleanor of Provence married Henry III, and Eleanor of Castile married Edward I. This succession of royal bearers gives the name a concrete English history independent of the debate over its meaning.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Leonore through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,313
- 0 boys · 2,313 girls
- Most popular year
- 1928
- 70 babies
- 2025
- 7
- #12,626 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +4%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 7 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 12,626 among girls’ names. The recent annual counts are too incomplete to establish a ten-year comparison. Its largest published annual count for girls was 70 in 1928. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,027 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Leonore’s family of names
Leonore shares a linguistic root with Leonora. Leonore has a related form in Lenore. In German usage, Leonore has a related form in Leonora.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Leonore
- Princess Leonore, Duchess of GotlandSwedish princess, eldest child of Princess Madeleine and Christopher O'Neillborn 2014
- Leonore GewesslerAustrian politician and ministerborn 1977
- Countess Leonore of Orange-NassauMember of the Dutch Royal familyborn 2006
- Leonore AnnenbergAmerican businesswoman (1918-2009)
- Lola LandauGerman author, writer, language teacher (1892-1990)
- Leonore Siegele-WenschkewitzGerman academic student (1944-1999)
- Leonore HarrisAmerican actress (1879-1953)
- Leonore DavidoffAmerican historian and sociologist (1932-2014)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Leonore, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Elinore
“shining light”
>99% girls
Elnora
“shining light”
>99% girls
Elmira
“a princess; daughter born to royalty”
>99% girls
Ima
“one who is complete; a universal woman”
>99% girls
Alene
>99% girls
Vilma
“determined protector” · “will”
>99% girls
Elinor
“shining light”
>99% girls
Elenora
“shining light”
>99% girls