Nori

♀ Girl

Pronounced NOR-ee /ˈnɔːr.i/High

Meaning: Law or rule (Japanese: nori/noru); also edible seaweed in Japanese culinary tradition; or a short form of Norse/English names like Noreen or NoraMedium

In 30 seconds: A short name with Japanese roots meaning 'law' or 'rule,' also the name of edible seaweed. It gained extra cultural currency as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's nickname for daughter North West.

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Origin MediumJapanese, Norse

MeaningLaw or rule (Japanese: nori/noru); also edible seaweed in Japanese culinary tradition; or a short form of Norse/English names like Noreen or Nora

U.S. rank (2025)#1196 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births193 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,026

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nori has Japanese origins where it can mean 'law,' 'rule,' 'ceremony,' or be associated with nori seaweed. In Western contexts it also functions as a short form of Nora, Noreen, or Norse names. The meaning varies significantly by writing system in Japanese (the kanji determines the meaning).

Nori appeared in U.S. birth data in small numbers from the 2010s onward. The nickname association with North West gave it a celebrity boost. It ranked #1013 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? North West — daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, born in 2013 — goes by the nickname Nori, bringing this Japanese name into celebrity naming orbit and boosting its visibility considerably.

Overall data confidence 72%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

NoreeNorie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Nori…

Nora— the longer Western form that Nori can abbreviate

Yuri— short Japanese/Slavic name with the same two-syllable crisp quality

Hana— Japanese name meaning flower, in the same short Japanese naming space

Tori— another Japanese name

Kairi— another nature pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nori mean?

Nori has Japanese roots meaning 'law,' 'rule,' or 'ceremony,' depending on the kanji. It is also the name of the edible seaweed used in sushi.

How do you pronounce Nori?

It's said NOR-ee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nori a boy or girl name?

Nori is used primarily as a girls' name in the U.S.

How popular is Nori?

Nori ranked #1013 for U.S. girls in 2024.