I call this the "Jane Austen spelling" (due to "Sense & Sensibility"). I think I prefer the Elinor spelling to Eleanor for two reasons (even though Eleanor is older / more traditional):1. The pronunciation is more intuitive with an "i" instead of "ea"; And 2. The spelling actually looks a bit Arthurian / fantasy-like. (Does "fantastical" work in this context?)
I love this name.I can never decide between Elinor and Eleanor. I like both names.
― Anonymous User 8/28/2021
4
My daughter's name is Elinore Bernadine. I think Elinore is a nice way to make it seem less 'vulgar' than Elinor. For some reason, her nickname is Mamie. I honestly don't know how that came about, but we all call her that. Overall, Elinor is a wonderful name.
― Anonymous User 5/31/2021
-4
I'm still debating in my mind whether I prefer Eleanor vs Elinor. Personally, I guess I like the way Eleanor is spelled, but I LOVE how Elinor reminds me of Elinor from Sense and Sensibility. If I have two female children someday, I would name them Elinor and Marianne. I was named after Jane Austen. So, all in all, Elinor is a lovely name.
Hi, an Elinor here. My mom named me after Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I've always been proud to have this name, and honestly prefer it over Eleanor (although that is obviously biased). Honestly, it looks anything but illiterate, and my mom always says that it's a beautiful name. Though I do use "Pogchamp" as my name only (hard to explain) I do love my name and will always stick with it. And to the few of y'all saying it's masculine 1. How? 2. Even if so, who cares? Abolish gender roles :)
Personally, I lean a bit more for Elinor than for Eleanor. Sorry. I think both are lovely names and we shouldn't argue over whether one sounds more "vulgar" than the other. I understand that for many people Elinor looks strange, but to say that the spelling is "illiterate" is a bit overreaching. I don't know how to explain it, Elinor seems more remarkable to me than Eleanor. And, I know that some people will disagree with me, but Elinor seems more noble than the other. I see Eleanor as more ordinary, simple, boring, meh. But Elinor has something that I don't really know how to explain. I like it, it looks simple but honorable. A good option, without a doubt.
Elinor Carlisle is a main character in Sad Cypress, one of Agatha Christine's books.
― Anonymous User 10/27/2019
7
I prefer this spelling of the name personally after seeing a British character having their name spelled this way. It just looks cooler and more strong in my opinion. I like this name a lot but unfortunately my last name starts with a W, therefore it would make my kid's initials "EW" :'(
Oh I definitely prefer the spelling of Eleanor. Elinor looks illiterate and less sophisticated. Also, Elinor looks a bit masculine (if not a lot)Nice name but just not crazy over this particular spelling (Elinor).
Queen Elinor is the mother of Princess Merida, the main protagonist of the 2012 Pixar film "Brave".
― Anonymous User 1/31/2016
7
The spelling Elinor is also, I think, more commonly used in France. I love my name, super uncommon, even more so than Eleanor. Though a warning for anyone considering naming their child this, they will hear no end of Beatles references to Eleanor Rigby.
What an ABSOLUTE disgrace to a classic. Spell it Eleanor or just simply don't use it. Elinor looks both dyslexic and illiterate. As though someone was unsure of how to spell it and just guessed at it.
― Anonymous User 11/17/2014
-10
Eleanor, while more popular in the United States is not the "true" version of the name. And I wish "anonymous" would keep her ignorance to herself. In England the name spelt Elinor has been around for hundreds of years. Jane Austen used this name and spelling in her book in 1811. Just because I didn't wish to name my child after Eleanor Roosevelt (whose first name was actually Anna) and chose to use an older family name doesn't mean it was "made up" or misspelt.
As I assume you are addressing the comment directly above you, why do you assume the gender of the anonymous poster is female and is the same user you frequently run into? That could have been anyone. Also, many people are named Eleanor, it does not mean they are named after Eleanor Roosevelt. Okay?There are going to be people who dislike the spelling of Elinor and prefer Eleanor over it. That does not at all make them ignorant. In my opinion, yes I do prefer Eleanor but does that make me ignorant because I think the spelling of Elinor actually looks bad?
― Anonymous User 5/26/2016
2
I agree with you, if some moron thinks Jane Austen is illiterate, that effectively renders their opinion impotent anyway. Enough said. I prefer this older spelling, because it makes people pronounce it Ellie-nor, whereas the other more common spelling reminds me of lenor fabric softener and with the extra 'a', makes me want to say Ellie-anner/Elle-Leanna.
― Anonymous User 1/20/2015
-5
Katie Couric's daughter Elinor was named after her mother.
― Anonymous User 7/25/2013
2
Elinor Donahue (b. 1937 in Tacoma, Washington) is an American actress.
― Anonymous User 7/11/2012
3
I don't like this or Eleanor, I just fancy the pet form "Nell".
It is a really gorgeous name. I find there is a clear difference between Elinor and Eleanor. I pronounce Elinor as 'E-lin-or' and Eleanor as 'E-len-er'. Of the two of them, I prefer Elinor. It sounds so posh when I hear people say it!
1. The pronunciation is more intuitive with an "i" instead of "ea";
And
2. The spelling actually looks a bit Arthurian / fantasy-like. (Does "fantastical" work in this context?)