Noa

♀ Girl

Pronounced NOH-ah /ˈnoʊə/High

Meaning: Motion, movementHigh

In 30 seconds: A soft Hebrew name meaning 'movement' — distinct from the male Noah (meaning 'rest'). Noa is the sleek, continental spelling that feels both ancient and thoroughly modern, beloved across Israel and Europe.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningMotion, movement

U.S. rank (2025)#226 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,348 girls (0.08% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 11,805

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Noa is a feminine Hebrew name (נֹעָה) derived from the root nua (to move, to wander), meaning 'motion' or 'movement.' It is distinct from the masculine name Noah (נֹחַ), which means 'rest' or 'comfort.' Noa appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27), who petitioned Moses for inheritance rights in the absence of male heirs.

Noa became the most popular girls' name in Israel in the 2010s and has spread across Europe and North America. Its short, clear sound and the growing fashion for names ending in a vowel have made it particularly appealing. It is often chosen as a feminine alternative to the very popular Noah.

Did you know? In the Hebrew Bible, Noa (נֹעָה) is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad who successfully argued before Moses for the right of women to inherit land — a groundbreaking legal precedent in Numbers 27.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Noa — etymology and biblical historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

NoahNovaNaomi

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Noa (singer) (1969–present)
Israeli singer-songwriter who has represented Israel at Eurovision and achieved international acclaim.

If you like Noa…

Selah— short Hebrew name with the same meditative biblical simplicity

Zoe— two-syllable vowel-ending name with the same clean, modern feel

Lena— soft, short European name with the same understated elegance

Isla— crisp, vowel-rich short name with the same breezy, international feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Noa mean?

Noa is a Hebrew name meaning 'motion' or 'movement,' from the root nua. It is distinct from the male name Noah, which means 'rest.'

How do you pronounce Noa?

It is said NOH-ah /ˈnoʊə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Noa a boy or girl name?

Noa (without the h) is used as a girls' name, while Noah is the standard boys' spelling. Both are used for boys in some cultures.

How popular is Noa?

Noa has been rising rapidly in the U.S. for girls and is the most popular girls' name in Israel.