Nora
Nora is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Honor, light, or compassionate one, depending on whether derived from Honora or Eleanor.
Origin and history
Nora is predominantly used as a feminine name, derived either as a short form of Honora (from the Latin word for 'honor') or from the Anglo-Norman name Eleanora. Although extremely rare for males, it appears in U.S. historical birth records as a given name for boys. In contemporary usage, it remains overwhelmingly female in style.
Popularity in the United States
784 babies in the United States have been named Nora since 1880. It ranks #3892 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1915.
States where it is most popular
- DC (50 %)
- MS (50 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 36 |
| 1890-1900 | 43 |
| 1900-1910 | 64 |
| 1910-1920 | 110 |
| 1920-1930 | 121 |
| 1930-1940 | 115 |
| 1940-1950 | 75 |
| 1950-1960 | 63 |
| 1960-1970 | 61 |
| 1970-1980 | 5 |
| 1980-1990 | 52 |
| 1990-2000 | 10 |
| 2000-2010 | 5 |
| 2010-2019 | 12 |
| 2020-2029 | 12 |
Fun facts
- Although modern usage is predominantly female, over 700 male births have been recorded under the name Nora in the U.S. since 1880.
- The name developed independently as a diminutive of Honora (meaning honor) and Eleanor (meaning light).