Leonore is a captivating and distinctive feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the French name Leonoраe, which itself is composed of the elements "leo" meaning "lion" and "orreo" or "ora" meaning "spear" or "prayer". Therefore, Leonore can be interpreted to mean "spear of Leo" or "prayer to Leo".
The name Leonore has a rich history that spans centuries. It was first used in the 18th century as a literary character in the play "Leonore, oder Der Probeball" by August von Kotzebue. The story tells of a young woman who sacrifices herself for her lover's sake, and it proved to be quite popular throughout Europe.
In German-speaking countries, Leonore has been used as a given name since the 18th century. It was also popularized in the English-speaking world by the famous opera "Il Trovatore" by Giuseppe Verdi, which features a character named Leonora who is also known for her selflessness and devotion.
Throughout its history, Leonore has remained a regal and elegant name choice, reflecting its strong association with courage, sacrifice, and noble ideals. It continues to be admired for its uniqueness and profound meaning, making it an attractive option for parents seeking a distinctive name for their daughter.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe a fluctuating trend of the name Leonore among newborns in the United States from 1881 to 2023.
The earliest record shows that there were 5 babies named Leonore in 1881. The number of births increased gradually over time, reaching a peak of 70 births in 1928. After this peak, the frequency of the name began to decline until it reached its lowest point with only 5 births recorded each year between 1991 and 2014.
Interestingly, there was a resurgence of the name Leonore starting from 2015, with 7 births that year. This trend continued in subsequent years, reaching 10 births in 2020, and has remained consistent with 6 to 7 births each year up until 2023.
In total, over this 142-year period (from 1881 to 2023), there were a cumulative 2298 babies named Leonore born in the United States. These statistics highlight how trends in naming can change over time and across generations.