Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Noor
GirlArabic· “light”
- Meaning
- light
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- NOOR
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #659
- US babies 2025
- 435
- Best rank
- #659 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Noor
Noor is an Arabic name that means “light”.
Noor is the Arabic word for light, and in Islamic tradition an-Nur, the Light, is one of the names of God. It is used for girls and sometimes for boys across the Arabic-speaking world, South Asia, Turkey and Iran. Queen Noor of Jordan, the American-born widow of King Hussein, is a well-known bearer. Noor is short, luminous and easy to say, and it forms part of many compound names, such as Noor al-Huda. The spellings Nur and Nour are also common. It pairs gracefully with both Arabic and English middle names.
Popularity over time
Noor first appears in US Social Security records in 1979. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 11 different years, starting in 2015. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #659, and its highest count, 435 babies. Use has grown 59% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #8,780 in 1980, #1,041 in 2000, #1,087 in 2010, and #659 in 2025. Of the 8,276 US girls named Noor since records began, 32% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,176 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Hana, Chana, Belen, Alara, and Andie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Noor ranked highest in District of Columbia, Michigan, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #183 | 5 |
| Michigan | #266 | 35 |
| New Jersey | #334 | 25 |
| New York | #356 | 48 |
| Illinois | #362 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 89% of US babies named Noor over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Noor is usually pronounced NOOR, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-or”.
Middle names for Noor
A few middle names that flow with Noor: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Noor
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Lists that include Noor
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Noor mean?
Noor is an Arabic name that means “light”.
What is the origin of the name Noor?
Noor has Arabic roots. Noor is the Arabic word for light, and in Islamic tradition an-Nur, the Light, is one of the names of God.
Is Noor a popular name?
Yes. Noor ranked #659 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Noor a boy or girl name?
Noor is mainly a girl's name. About 89% of US babies named Noor over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Noor?
Noor is usually pronounced NOOR. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings