Noor

♂ Boy

Pronounced NOOR /nuːr/High

Meaning: Light, divine light; from Arabic nur (نور) meaning light, radiance, luminosityHigh

In 30 seconds: Noor is an elegant Arabic name meaning 'light' or 'divine light,' one of the most beautiful and widely used names across the Islamic world. Simple, luminous, and deeply spiritual, it is borne by royalty and beloved by parents across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningLight, divine light; from Arabic nur (نور) meaning light, radiance, luminosity

U.S. rank (2024)#3190 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,034

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Noor derives from the Arabic nur (نور), meaning light, brilliance, and divine radiance. The word appears repeatedly in the Quran, most notably in the celebrated Verse of Light (24:35), where God is described as the light of the heavens and earth. As a personal name, Noor/Nur has been used throughout the Islamic world for over fourteen centuries, prized for its spiritual beauty and simplicity.

While traditionally used for both boys and girls across the Arab world and South Asia, Noor is more commonly given to girls in Western contexts. In Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Arab countries it remains a respected masculine name. Notable bearers include Queen Noor of Jordan (born Lisa Halaby) and various historical Islamic scholars and saints whose honorific included Nur.

Did you know? Surah An-Nur (The Chapter of Light) is the 24th chapter of the Quran, and the famous Verse of Light (Ayat al-Nur, 24:35) describes Allah as 'the Light of the heavens and the earth' — making Noor one of the most Quranically resonant names a child can bear.

Overall data confidence 96%

Quran — Surah An-Nur 24:35 (Verse of Light) — Primary Quranic source for the name's spiritual meaningLane, Edward — Arabic-English Lexicon — Etymology of nur meaning light

Variations

NurNooriNour

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Queen Noor of Jordan (1951–present)
American-born Jordanian humanitarian, born Lisa Najeeb Halaby, who married King Hussein I and became a prominent advocate for peace and education.

If you like Noor…

Nur— the classical Arabic spelling of the same name meaning light

Nouri— extended form of Noor/Nur with the same light meaning

Nour— the Levantine Arabic pronunciation and spelling of the same name

Zia— Urdu-Persian name also meaning 'light, radiance,' same semantic family

Frequently Asked

What does the name Noor mean?

Noor is an Arabic name meaning 'light' or 'divine light,' from the Arabic word nur. It appears in the Quran's celebrated Verse of Light and is one of the 99 Names of Allah.

How do you pronounce Noor?

Noor is pronounced NOOR /nuːr/ — one syllable with a long 'oo' vowel.

Is Noor a boy or girl name?

Noor is used for both boys and girls across the Middle East and South Asia. In Western countries it tends to be used more for girls, but it is a traditional masculine name in Arab culture.

How popular is Noor?

Noor is one of the most popular names across the Arab world, South Asia, and Muslim communities globally. It remains less common but recognisable in Western countries.