Girl · 31st of 30,306
Nora
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
187,497
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2021
Peak Popularity Year
6,276
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Nora stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Nora originated from Latin and is often viewed as a diminutive of Eleanor, meaning 'honor' or 'light'. The name has evolved through various forms and has been popular since the 19th century. It embodies qualities of kindness and warmth, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈnɔːrə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Nora is often considered a diminutive of the name Eleanor, which itself comes from the Old French name Aliénor. It may also derive from the Latin word 'honor' or the Arabic word 'نور' (nur), meaning 'light'.
Meaning
honor, light
Language Evolution
Aliénor, Eleanor, Nora
Historical Usage
Nora gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has remained a favored name into the 21st century.
Variants & Derivatives
Norah, Norie, Nori
Modern Popularity & Image
Nora is perceived as a classic yet modern name, often associated with kindness and warmth.
Famous People
Nora Ephron, Nora Jones, Nora Roberts
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,276 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1953rd of 7545 | 262 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2333rd of 6773 | 189 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3228th of 7552 | 124 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6193rd of 10718 | 39 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8295th of 16616 | 53 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 17079th of 23106 | 18 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 154th of 9107 | 27,516 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 211th of 9204 | 16,080 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 253rd of 12526 | 21,547 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 370th of 19264 | 10,205 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 441st of 27321 | 8,806 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 261st of 35406 | 19,671 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 31st of 30306 | 67,161 |