How Many People Are Named Eleanor?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Eleanor

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,942 living people in the United States currently have the first name Eleanor. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 7,228 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #337 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,942CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)7,228Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#337U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1969 (116 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,942
Historical Births (SSA)
7,228
All-Time Rank
#337
Historical Peak
1969

Key Insights for Eleanor

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,942 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#337
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1969
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
90.1% Male · 9.9% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~743 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Eleanor

Living Population Model
~5,942

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
7,228

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
4,428

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
39.1 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1969

Highest annual total: 116 registrations in 1969.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-3%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Eleanor has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Eleanor (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1969 (~116 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201079709
201178699
201277698
201376688
201476688
201575678
201674668
201774668
201873658
201973658
202072648
202172648
202272648
202371638
202471638

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
39/100
1950s
72/100
1960s
97/100
1970s
98/100
1980s
75/100
1990s
42/100
2000s
78/100
2010s
67/100
2020s
32/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Eleanor has been predominantly masculine (90.1% male vs 9.9% female).

Male: 90.1% (~6,516 births)Female: 9.9% (~712 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Eleanor

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Eleanor in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Eleanor appeared 4,428 times, ranking #136 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
4,428 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#136
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Eleanor Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~743 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~74312.5%
Texas (TX)~5479.2%
Florida (FL)~4046.8%
New York (NY)~3626.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2384%
Illinois (IL)~2323.9%
Ohio (OH)~2143.6%
Georgia (GA)~1963.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,942 people named Eleanor are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 39.1 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Eleanor: 39.1 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Eleanor

How many people in the U.S. are named Eleanor?

Approximately 5,942 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Eleanor. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 7,228 birth applications for Eleanor between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Eleanor?

Eleanor ranks #337 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Eleanor comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Eleanor most popular in America?

The name Eleanor reached its peak historical popularity in 1969, when 116 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Eleanor?

Eleanor has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Eleanor?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Eleanor has been predominantly masculine (90.1% male vs 9.9% female).

Where is the name Eleanor most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Eleanor resides in California, with approximately 743 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Eleanor in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Eleanor appeared 4,428 times in census returns, ranking #136 in official 2020 returns.

✨ Free Demographic Tool

Check Another First Name

Search our database of official Social Security & Census records instantly.

⚡ Instant calculation🛡️ No signup required📊 Official SSA 1880–2024 data