Elanor (given name)

Elanor is a feminine given name with origins in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings, specifically The Lord of the Rings.

In Tolkien's invented languages, "Elanor" is a name given to a small, star-shaped flower that grows in Lothlórien. The name likely combines the Quenya words "el" meaning "star" and the adjectival suffix "-nor," resulting in a meaning of "sun-star" or "star-sun," although the precise meaning is debated among Tolkien scholars.

The name is most famously associated with Elanor Gamgee, the first child of Samwise Gamgee and Rosie Cotton in The Lord of the Rings. Samwise named her after the flower he remembered from his time in Lothlórien.

Since the publication of The Lord of the Rings, Elanor has become a somewhat popular given name, particularly for those who appreciate Tolkien's works. Its associations are generally positive, evoking images of beauty, resilience, and connection to nature. The name is relatively uncommon, lending it a sense of uniqueness.