Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Nour
GirlArabic· “light”
- Meaning
- light
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- NOOR
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,531
- US babies 2025
- 139
- Best rank
- #1,531 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Nour
Nour is an Arabic name that means “light”.
Nour is an Arabic name meaning light. It comes from the word nur, which appears prominently in the Quran, including in the well-known Verse of Light. Nour is used for girls throughout the Arabic-speaking world and in many other Muslim communities, while the spelling Noor is also common. In some regions it is used for boys as well. The name is short, luminous and easy to pronounce across languages, which has helped it spread internationally. Nour has a gentle, graceful feel and a clear, positive meaning that many families find appealing.
Popularity over time
Nour first appears in US Social Security records in 1981. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,531, and its highest count, 139 babies. Use has grown 43% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,072 in 2000, #2,290 in 2010, and #1,531 in 2025. Of the 2,877 US girls named Nour since records began, 30% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 823 babies. Since 2010, 1,465 more have been named Nour.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Eloisa, Camellia, Zylah, Kalayah, and Winry.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nour ranked highest in Michigan, Massachusetts, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #676 | 12 |
| Massachusetts | #854 | 6 |
| New York | #889 | 18 |
| New Jersey | #912 | 8 |
| Virginia | #913 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 83% of US babies named Nour over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Nour is usually pronounced NOOR, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ur”.
Middle names for Nour
A few middle names that flow with Nour: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nour
Similar names
Ziya Girl
ZEE-yuh
“light, radiance” · Arabic
#1,941
Leen Girl
LEEN
“tender, gentle” · Arabic
#1,852
Dua Girl
DOO-uh
“prayer, supplication” · Arabic
#1,060
Haya Girl
HY-uh
“life (Hebrew); modesty (Arabic)” · Hebrew
#1,916
Noor Girl
NOOR
“light” · Arabic
#659
Aya Girl
AH-yuh
“sign, miracle” · Arabic
#644
Ayah Girl
AH-yuh
“sign, miracle; verse” · Arabic
#870
Amour Unisex
ah-MOOR
“love” · French
#2,780
Laylah Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#1,254
Rihanna Girl
ree-AH-nuh
“sweet basil” · Arabic
#2,150
Yazmin Girl
YAZ-mihn
“jasmine flower” · Persian
#1,651
Aliah Girl
uh-LEE-uh
“variant of Aaliyah; exalted” · Arabic
#1,192
Lists that include Nour
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nour mean?
Nour is an Arabic name that means “light”.
What is the origin of the name Nour?
Nour has Arabic roots. Nour is an Arabic name meaning light.
Is Nour a popular name?
Not especially. Nour ranked #1,531 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nour a boy or girl name?
Nour is mainly a girl's name. About 83% of US babies named Nour over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Nour?
Nour 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