Norah
Norah is a girl's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
Light or honor.
Origin and history
Norah is a classic feminine name derived either as a variant of Nora (from Eleanor, Honora, or the Irish Onóra) or directly from the Arabic word for light. It has seen a steady rise in popularity in the United States since the early 2000s. Its timeless feel appeals to parents looking for a vintage yet modern name.
Popularity in the United States
33,869 babies in the United States have been named Norah since 1880. It ranks #768 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #194.
States where it is most popular
- CA (7.8 %)
- TX (6.2 %)
- NY (4.9 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
- IL (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 125 |
| 1890-1900 | 146 |
| 1900-1910 | 114 |
| 1910-1920 | 177 |
| 1920-1930 | 197 |
| 1930-1940 | 129 |
| 1940-1950 | 206 |
| 1950-1960 | 234 |
| 1960-1970 | 213 |
| 1970-1980 | 238 |
| 1980-1990 | 327 |
| 1990-2000 | 357 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,459 |
| 2010-2019 | 17,744 |
| 2020-2029 | 9,203 |
Famous people named Norah
- Norah Jones: Singer, Songwriter
- Norah O'Donnell: Journalist, News Anchor
- Norah McClintock: Author, Writer
Nicknames
Nora, Noni
Fun facts
- The name functions both as a variant of Nora (derived from Honora or Eleanor) and as a standalone transliteration of an Arabic name meaning light.
- While historically less common than Nora, the spelling Norah surged in popularity in the U.S. in the 2000s.