Noor

♀ Girl

Pronounced NOOR /nʊər/High

Meaning: From Arabic nur meaning light; in Islamic tradition Nur al-Din means light of religion and the name is associated with the divine light of God described in the Quran's famous Light Verse (Surah 24:35)High

In 30 seconds: An elegant Arabic name meaning divine light, Noor is one of the most beautiful and widely used names across the Islamic world, combining profound spiritual meaning with a single luminous syllable.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic nur meaning light; in Islamic tradition Nur al-Din means light of religion and the name is associated with the divine light of God described in the Quran's famous Light Verse (Surah 24:35)

U.S. rank (2025)#659 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births435 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,273

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Noor (also spelled Nur) comes from Arabic nur, meaning light. The concept of divine light is central to Islamic theology and mysticism — the Quran's Light Verse (24:35) describes God as the light of the heavens and the earth. Noor has been used as a given name across Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities for centuries, for both boys and girls.

In Western countries, Noor gained visibility through Queen Noor of Jordan (born Lisa Najeeb Halaby), who took the name upon marrying King Hussein in 1978. The name has been rising in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands among Muslim communities. Its single syllable is rare among Arabic names and gives it a striking, elegant minimalism.

Did you know? The Ayat al-Nur (Verse of Light) in the Quran — Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth — gives the name Noor a direct connection to one of the most celebrated verses in Islamic scripture.

Overall data confidence 97%

Behind the Name — Noor — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

NurNouraNoure

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Queen Noor of Jordan (1951–present)
American-born queen consort of Jordan, wife of King Hussein.

If you like Noor…

Lila— shares the same short, luminous quality and the same cross-cultural soft appeal

Luna— fellow one-or-two syllable light/moon name with the same international radiance

Leila— shares the Arabic cultural origin and the same soft, romantic sound

Laila— another Arabic feminine name with the same night/light resonance and the same elegance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Noor mean?

Noor means light or divine light, from Arabic nur. It is connected to the Quran's Verse of Light, which describes God as the light of the heavens and the earth.

How do you pronounce Noor?

It is said NOOR /nʊər/ — one syllable with a long oo vowel.

Is Noor a boy or girl name?

Noor is used for both boys and girls in Arabic culture, though in Western usage it is predominantly a girls' name.

Is Noor a popular name?

Noor is very popular across the Arabic-speaking and Muslim world and is rising in Western countries including the United States and the Netherlands.