Norah
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Light, honor, compassion
Origin: Irish/Arabic
Popularity: Ranked #262 in 2025 with 1,191 babies born.
History: Norah surged in the 2000s-2010s. Norah Jones' debut album 'Come Away with Me' sold 27 million copies — one of the best-selling albums in American history. Her smoky jazz-pop voice defined early 2000s cool. The H-ending distinguishes it from Nora. Norah means that American moment when jazz, pop, and coffee-shop culture merged into something beautiful.
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Norah? About 1 in 2,795 babies born in 2025 were named Norah, or roughly 3.3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Norah
What does the name Norah mean?
Norah means “Light, honor, compassion” from Irish/Arabic roots.
What is the origin of the name Norah?
Norah has Irish/Arabic origin. The traditional meaning is “Light, honor, compassion”.
How popular is Norah?
Norah ranked #262 in 2025 — given to 1,191 babies that year.
When was Norah most popular?
Norah peaked in 2017 with 2,156 babies registered that year.
Is Norah a boy or girl name?
Norah is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Norahs in registered births are female.
Is the name Norah rising or falling in popularity?
Norah has fallen 110 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #152 in 2020 to #262 in 2025.
How long has Norah been recorded?
Norah appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.