Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Noura
GirlArabic· “light”
- Meaning
- light
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- NOOR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,232
- US babies 2025
- 83
- Best rank
- #2,094 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Noura
Noura is an Arabic name that means “light”.
Noura is an Arabic name meaning light, a feminine form built on nur, light. Nur is an important word in Islamic tradition, where one of the names of God is an-Nur, the Light, and a chapter of the Quran bears that title. The name is used across the Arab world, especially in the Gulf states, and among Arab families abroad. It is said NOOR-uh. Nura and Nourah are other spellings. It looks like Nora, but Nora has a separate European origin as a short form of Eleanor or Honora.
Popularity over time
Noura first appears in US Social Security records in 1983. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,094 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 92 babies. In 2025, 83 babies were named Noura, and it ranked #2,232 nationally. That is 113% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,933 in 2000, #5,920 in 2010, and #2,232 in 2025. Of the 1,219 US girls named Noura since records began, 34% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 390 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Maleia, Devora, Maelee, Chany, and Raizel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Noura ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #828 | 9 |
| New York | #1489 | 9 |
| Illinois | #1570 | 5 |
| California | #1720 | 13 |
| Florida | #2084 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Noura is usually pronounced NOOR-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Noura
A few middle names that flow with Noura: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Noura
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Lists that include Noura
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Noura mean?
Noura is an Arabic name that means “light”.
What is the origin of the name Noura?
Noura has Arabic roots. Noura is an Arabic name meaning light, a feminine form built on nur, light.
Is Noura a popular name?
Not especially. Noura ranked #2,232 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Noura a boy or girl name?
Noura is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Noura?
Noura is usually pronounced NOOR-uh. 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