Noura
Meaninglight · Arabic
Noura is an Arabic girl name meaning “light”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationNoura is having its moment right now. Most Nouras are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Noura would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 19,380 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNoura first shows up in US birth records in 1983, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 42 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Nouras? Head to New Jersey, where it's the #774 girl name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million girls, 1983–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Noura
Noura is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “light”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic girl names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Girl name: Amira · princess
- Girl name: Lilly · lily flower
- Girl name: Leila · night
- Girl name: Aliyah · ascent
Questions about the name Noura
What does the name Noura mean?
Noura means “light” and comes from Arabic. Names built around “light” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Eleanor (“possibly light”), Ellie (“possibly light”), Lucy (“light”) and Lainey (“possibly light”).
What is the origin of the name Noura?
Noura is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Noura a boy or girl name?
Noura is a girl name. In 2025, 83 US girls were named Noura.
How popular is the name Noura?
Noura ranked #2,214 for US girls in 2025, given to 83 babies. Its best year was 2024, when it reached #2,080. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,124 places.
What names are similar to Noura?
If you like Noura, you might also like Eleanor, Ellie, Lucy and Lainey.
What should I know before naming my baby Noura?
Noura is an Arabic girl name meaning “light”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.