I can accept
Nora since the name
Eleanor comes from is really "alia Aenor," meaning "the other Aenor."
Eleanor of Aquitaine was actually named Aenor after her mother and was called
Eleanor/ Alienor to distinguish between the two.
Nora I can consider a modern variation of Aenor.
I also rather like
Jay and
Robin in reference to birds.
I also like
Alix as an old French form of
Alice.
I must disclaim by saying I do not care about popularity whatsoever. To me a nickname is a nickname no matter how many birth certificates it's on. (I am no relativist!) I do not think a nickname can ever "become" a full name, no matter how many people have no idea that
Molly comes from
Mary or that
Jack comes from
John.
I do not like nicknames as full names. I feel like it is giving your child half a name. I also feel in cases where the nickname is really obvious like
Allie,
Abby, or
Kate, that it is rather rude / presumptuous of the parents.