I’ve heard she’s considered old-fashioned overseas, but she has an interesting indie edge in the US.

Thanks to Bek for suggesting Hannelore as Baby Name of the Day.

Purists may insist that Hannelore is a four-syllable name.

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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  1. I found it very interesting to see so many comments about my name. I was born in Berlin in 1924 and came to the U.S. after WW2. “Hannelore” has become quite a difficult name to remember for people in this country. To quote my mother who said she chose the name because at the time of my birth there was a great ballet dancer who became quite famous and she was hoping I may follow her in her “foot steps” one day! I am still hoping!

  2. My sister-in-law is in love with this name. She works with the elderly, and was first introduced to the name when she met a German woman called Hannelore. She’s trying to convince her husband they should use it for their first daughter, but he’s not in favor.

    This would be a GREAT way to honor multiple relatives. The “Hanne-” part would honor anyone whose first or middle is Anne, Anna, or Grace (especially if one doesn’t want to use a middle as predictable as Anne or Grace). The “-lore” could honor a Laura, Laurie, or Eleanor. And most of us have those names somewhere in our family.

  3. Thanks! I really do adore this name. Friends have described my taste as Irish Woodland with a Hint of Fantasy… I find Hannelore fits that description. If it makes sense to anyone else, haha! 🙂

    I’m not usually into long, elaborate names, but I find Hannelore so lilting and melodic that I just love it.

    I didn’t even know most of those references, especially the modern ones, so thanks for enlightening me 🙂

    1. Irish Woodland with a Hint of Fantasy – that is EXACTLY how to describe Hannelore. LOVE IT!

  4. I not going to wake up my husband to ask, but I believe Hannelore is more high German (Germany, Swiss and Austrian) than low German (Dutch). Anyways, very old-fashioned name, most of the German speakers I know seem to name their children really short, crisp “nicknamey ” names. Nico, Lena, Felix, Rike.

    1. Thanks, Julie. And it isn’t conclusive, but all of the Hannelores I found were definitely German – and middle-aged!

  5. Interesting, I thought the name was Dutch too, perhaps because growing up I had a friend named Hanneke. My confusion out of the way, I like Hannelore. It wouldn’t be at the top of my list, but I could see myself suggesting it to my husband in desperation after he vetoed all my other suggestions. My German paternal grandmother’s name was Elisabeth Johanna, but she went by Hanna most of the time to avoid confusion with the many other Elisabeth’s she growing up around her. If I ever wanted to honour her when naming a child, I would go with Hannelore.

  6. I thought it was Dutch. I’m not a fan of the -Han or -Lore/Laurie/Loor etc names. Whether they’re the English or Dutch/German/Afrikaans ones.Nothing wrong with them – just not my style.I said it as HUN-eh-LORE or HUN-eh-LOOR because of where I live.I’d be interested to see how a Dutch person would say it.

    The vibe of the name to me is very Hansel & Gretel,Snow White and other related fairy tales (does that even make sense lol?) .Overall, it’s not a bad name at all & is great for someone trying to honour their ancestry, but it’s not something I’d really go for. A very interesting pick for NOTD!

  7. I love Hannelore. So sing-songy and sweet. I am not sure how this is perceived in modern Germany, but I love it.