Eleanor

The origin and meaning are debated, and several possible etymologies have been proposed. The name derives from the Provençal name "Aliénor," which became "Eléanor" or "Eleonore." Another suggested source may be the Germanic name "Aldenor," from "aenor," meaning "old north." The name may also be ultimately connected with the Arabic name "Nurah" (Arabic root: n-w-r > nur‎), meaning "light, luminous, radiant, brilliant." For several centuries, Provençal speakers lived in proximity to the Iberian Arabic-speaking "al-ʼAndalus," now Andalucía, and there is considerable evidence of cultural influences. 1) Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe during the high middle ages, a member of the Ramnufid dynasty of rulers in south-western France. 2) Eleanor of Provence (~1223–1291) was Queen consort of England as King Henry III of England's spouse, from 1236 until he died in 1272. She was considered a saint, although the Catholic Church has never officially announced his cult. 3) Eleanor of Castile († 1244) was the daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of England.