Cover of "Eloise (Eloise Series)"

This post was originally published on November 21, 2008.  It was substantially revised and re-posted on August 18, 2014.

One of the most memorable children’s books begins with the heroine introducing herself: I am Eloise. I am six. I am a city child. I live at the Plaza.

Kay Thompson’s pint-sized, über-privileged whirlwind of a girl goes on to get into all sorts of mischief as her nanny gives chase.

Thanks to Kim for suggesting Eloise as our Baby Name of the Day.

Add an H to Eloise, and we come closer to her roots – one of those clunky Germanic combo names, the imposing Heilwidis. The element widis most likely means wide, while the first half – heill – means healthy. In French, Heilwidis became Héloïse, and so some link it to the Greek helios – sun. But that’s almost certainly folk etymology.

Others cluster Eloise and Louise, and tell us that they both mean “famous in battle,” but again, it’s more of a happy coincidence that they share sounds.

We can thank the Normans for bringing the name to England, most often as Helewise and sometimes as Helewis, Helewisa, Elewisa, or Elewys. Like many a medieval moniker, she faded from use, only to be revived by the Victorians.

Parents may have been inspired by Heloise and Abelard. The letters from their illicit affair remain required reading for romantics even today. (And talk about crazy baby names – they called their son Astrolabe!) By all accounts, Heloise was not only passionate, but also brilliant and accomplished in an era when few women were able to excel at scholarly pursuits. After the brouhaha over their affair, Heloise took herself off to a convent and eventually became abbess.

Eloise had a good run. She ranked in the US Top 1000 from 1880 through 1965, peaking at #164 in 1921. Besides the girl at the Plaza, there’s a capable Aunt Eloise in the Nancy Drew series and an oft-quoted Titanic survivor named Eloise Smith.

Until recently, she was heard in Europe, but remained a rarity in the US.

Then came 2009, and Eloise re-entered the US Top 1000 at #912.  She’s had a meteoric rise since then, reaching #338 in 2013, and poised to climb higher still.

And why not?

  • Eloise has loads of vintage appeal, putting her in the company of so many rising names, like Hazel and Olive.  After all, Eloise peaked in 1921, so her revival is just in time to satisfy the 100-year rule.
  • Literary names are having a good run – Emma has been #1 and Madeleine is a twenty-first century favorite, pick your spelling.  Several adaptations of Kay Thompson’s enduring stories in recent years have helped boost the name, too.
  • It’s hard to understand the appeal of El- names, from elaborate Isabella to simple Ella to rising classic Eleanor.
  • Speaking of El- names, doesn’t Eloise hit a sweet spot?  She’s less starchy and regal than Eleanor, but more substantial than Ellie or Elsie.

Denise Richards gave the name to a daughter in 2011, a sharp departure from her earlier picks for daughters Lola and Sam.

If you’re looking for a stylish on-trend choice for a daughter in 2014, Eloise is a great choice – as long as you don’t mind the possibility that she’ll continue to climb!

How high do you think Eloise will climb?  What’s your favorite El- name for girls?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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24 Comments

  1. Currently debating between Eloise and Annabel for our daughter due this spring. My older 2 are Jillian and Oliver. Would love to hear anyone’s thought. 🙂

  2. I names my second daughter Eloise Margot. I love the name . My other daugher is called Manon Estee

  3. My little sister (who just turned 6) has the middle name of Eloise! I really love the name, it is very pretty and sounds graceful. As to Monica Jack, I think the nickname would work, though I probably would never think it was short for Eloise. Very pretty names you have picked out! I adore Lucy as well. And Clementine is beautiful!

  4. I love Eloise and have for years, since I was in college. But it’s definitely on an upswing in my social circles. Two former classmates of mine named their daughter Eloise in the last year and I fully expect more to follow. It’s not as rare as it seemed to me in 2002, unfortunately. But it is still lovable.

    I think Eloise/Nellie is adorable. Nell is one of my favorite names–and I would prefer it as a nickname for Cornelia, if I could ever get my husband to agree.

    1. Ah, husbands! They are so tricky! Thanks for the comments, Coll and Oph – very reassuring. I am definitely swaying towards Eloise, nickname Nell. I live in New Zealand and have never met an Eloise, so it’s interesting to hear it’s trending upwards.