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Nora

/NOR-ə/

Nora is a girl name of Latin origin, meaning Honour; light.

  • GenderGirl
  • OriginLatin
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables2
  • US rank#29

What does Nora mean?

Honour; light

Nora is a short form of Eleonora or Honora. Honora comes from the Latin honor; Eleonora is of uncertain origin, possibly Provençal or Arabic. In Ireland, Nora also served as an anglicisation of the Irish Nóirín.

The story behind the name

Nora Helmer walks out of her marriage at the end of Ibsen's A Doll's House in 1879, slamming a door that has been described as echoing through European theatre. The play was so controversial that Ibsen was pressured into writing an alternative ending in which she stays; he called it a barbaric outrage.

Nora was an Irish and Scandinavian staple for a century, faded in the mid-1900s, and has returned strongly since 2000. It is currently a top-thirty name in Norway, the Netherlands and the United States at once.

Notable people named Nora

  • Nora Helmer, character in A Doll's House
  • Nora Ephron, writer and director
  • Nora Roberts, novelist

How popular is Nora?

Popularity in the United States

Nora has been given to 162,851 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 297 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

03,0316,061188019502020
Babies named Nora per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Nora has been given to 22,424 babies in France since 1908, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

0310619190819652022
Babies named Nora per year in France, 1908–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 20,597 people called Nora living in Spain, with an average age of 14.9.

162,851 Babies named since 1880
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Norah, Noor, Nóra

Related names: Eleanor, Honora, Noor, Leonora, Nova

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Frequently asked questions about Nora

What does the name Nora mean?

Nora means Honour; light. It is of Latin origin.

Is Nora a boy's or a girl's name?

Nora is most often given to girls.

How do you pronounce Nora?

Nora is pronounced NOR-ə.

How popular is the name Nora?

Nora has been given to 162,851 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Nora?

Common variants include Norah, Noor, Nóra.