Nora
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Honor and light — dignity paired with radiance
Origin: Irish short form of Honora (from Latin honor), or a short form of Eleanor and Leonora
Popularity: Ranked #20 in 2025 with 6,380 babies born.
History: Nora has roots in the Irish tradition as a pet form of Honora, and in the broader European tradition as a short form of Eleanor or Leonora. Henrik Ibsen's groundbreaking 1879 play A Doll's House features Nora as its protagonist — a woman who dramatically asserts her independence, making the name carry a spirit of quiet revolution ever since. The name was popular in the early 20th century, faded mid-century, and has made a major comeback since the 2000s, now sitting in the U.S. top 30. Its simplicity and warmth are perfectly timeless.
Famous people named Nora: Nora Ephron (director/writer), Nora Jones (singer), Nora Helmer (A Doll's House)
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Nora? About 1 in 521 babies born in 2025 were named Nora, or roughly 17.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Nora
What does the name Nora mean?
Nora means “Honor and light — dignity paired with radiance” from Irish short form of Honora (from Latin honor), or a short form of Eleanor and Leonora roots.
What is the origin of the name Nora?
Nora has Irish short form of Honora (from Latin honor), or a short form of Eleanor and Leonora origin. The traditional meaning is “Honor and light — dignity paired with radiance”.
How popular is Nora?
Nora ranked #20 in 2025 — given to 6,380 babies that year.
When was Nora most popular?
Nora peaked in 2025 with 6,380 babies registered that year.
Is Nora a boy or girl name?
Nora is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Noras in registered births are female.
Is the name Nora rising or falling in popularity?
Nora has risen 10 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #30 in 2020 to #20 in 2025.
How long has Nora been recorded?
Nora appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.