Nora

♀ Girl

Pronounced NOR-uh /ˈnɔːr.ə/High

Meaning: Honor; woman of honor; from Latin honora via HonoriaHigh

In 30 seconds: A soft Irish short form of Honora meaning 'honor,' Nora is a timeless classic that has surged back into the U.S. top 30 after a century of quiet use.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighIrish, Latin, Arabic

MeaningHonor; woman of honor; from Latin honora via Honoria

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 144,716

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Nora is an Irish short form of Honora or Honoria, from the Latin honor. It also functions as an anglicization of the Irish name Nóra. Additionally, it parallels the Arabic Nour/Nura (light), though these are etymologically distinct.

Nora has been used in Ireland and Britain for centuries. Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House (1879) gave it a dramatic, forward-thinking literary association. In the U.S. the name was popular in the early 20th century, dipped mid-century, and has staged a strong revival since the 2000s, entering the top 30 girls' names.

Did you know? Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House (1879) features a protagonist named Nora Helmer, a woman who famously walks out on her controlling husband in one of the most discussed endings in Western drama — giving the name a bold, independent association.

Variations

NorahHonoraNoreenNóra

Nicknames

NorNoorie

Famous Bearers

★Nora Helmer (fictional)
Protagonist of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House (1879), a landmark in feminist literary history.
★Nora Ephron (1941–2012)
American writer and filmmaker, known for When Harry Met Sally.

If you like Nora…

Eleanor— shares the dignified vintage quality with a short nickname form

Hazel— equally soft, two-syllable vintage nature-era classic

Cora— shares the simple, warm short classic feel

Iris— another delicate vintage-revival floral/classic name

Vera— equally brief, soft vintage classic enjoying a comeback

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nora mean?

Nora is an Irish short form of Honora, from the Latin honor, meaning 'honor' or 'woman of honor.' It can also be a form of the Arabic Nour meaning 'light.'

How do you pronounce Nora?

Nora is said NOR-uh /ˈnɔːr.ə/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Nora a boy or girl name?

Nora is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Nora?

Nora has climbed back into the U.S. top 30 girls' names since the mid-2010s, continuing a revival after decades of low use.