Nora

The female first name Nora is a short form of names that end in '-nora', particularly Eleonora and Honora. However, Nora is also a variant of the Arabic name Nura.

What does the name Nora mean?

The female first name Nora is a short form of names that end in '-nora', particularly Eleonora and Honora. However, Nora is also a variant of the Arabic name Nura. As a short form of Eleonora, Nora has several meanings, all of which are not definitively established. Eleonora likely derives from the Old Provençal name Aliénor and means 'the other' or 'the foreigner'. The name may also originate from Ancient Greek ('the merciful') or Arabic ('God is my light'). More about these derivations can be found on the name page of Alienor. As a short form of Honora, Nora has Latin roots and means 'the honored' or 'the honorable', derived from Latin honor for 'honor, esteem'. As a variant of the Arabic girl's name Nura, which is the purely female counterpart to the Arabic unisex name Nur, Nora means 'the light' or 'the illumination', derived from Arabic nūr (نُور) for 'light, shine, illumination'. In Islam, an-Nūr (النُّور) is one of the '99 names of God'. Nora is a very common girl's name worldwide, with nearly a million bearers, making it one of the most frequently given female first names in the world. The name is particularly widespread in German-speaking, English-speaking, Scandinavian, and Arabic regions. In Germany, as well as in the German-speaking neighboring countries Austria and Switzerland, Nora has been one of the most popular and frequently given girl's names for years. Similar variants of Nora include Noora, Norah, Noura, and Nurah. Notable bearers of the name include the American writer Nora Roberts and the German actress Nora Tschirner.

Where does the name Nora come from?

The word origin of Nora is a female first name of Latin and Arabic origin with meanings such as 'God is my light' or 'the merciful' and others.

How do you pronounce Nora?

Sound & pronunciation of Nora: The name Nora is two syllables and clearly structured. Usually pronounced as 'No-ra' [ˈnoːʁa], it begins with a long O sound that conveys calmness. The rolled or breathed r adds a gentle accent. The open ending '-a' gives the name lightness. Nora appears classic and harmonious - a name with a clear line and friendly aura.

When is the name day of Nora?

As a variant of Eleonora, Nora celebrates its name day on February 11 (Eleonora Weiß) and June 25 (Eleonore von der Provence).

Popularity

In the 1920s to the 1930s, the name Nora in Germany mainly ranked between Top 220 and Top 350. Individual years, such as 1922 with rank 117, briefly reached the Top 150, but overall the name remained clearly outside the Top 100 and was rather rarely represented. In the 1940s and 1950s, this weak phase continued. The rankings mostly ranged between Top 350 and Top 600, which kept the name among the rarely given first names.

Nicknames & pet names

Nina / No / Noa / Noerchen / Noerli / Noerliii / Nolala / Nono / Noortje / Nor / Nora Tartora / Noralein / Norali / Noralinchen / Norchen / Noreen / Norelei / Norella / Nori / Noriane / Norika / Norilein / Norili / Norina / Noripori / Norisker / Norita / Norli / Norsche / Norschka / Norschke / Norska / Nortsch / Nortscherl / Nortschi / Norus / Norusch / Noruu / Notschi / Nova / Nöre / Nörle / Nörlii / Nörrchen

Similar first names

Famous people

• Nora Aceval (Algerian writer)
• Nora Andy Napaltjarri (Australian artist)
• Nora Angehrn (* 1980, Swiss professional golfer)
• Nora Arnezeder (French actress)
• Nora Berrah (American physicist)
• Nora Binder (actress, presenter)
• Nora Burglon (Swedish writer)
• Nora Chesson (English writer)
• Nora Clench (Canadian musician)
• Nora Connolly Obrien (Irish writer)
• Nora Danish (actress from Malaysia)
• Nora Dunn (American actress)
• Nora Edletzberger (sprinter from Austria)
• Nora Guthrie (musician from America)
• Nora Hecker (theater director from Germany)
• Nora Helmer (character from Ibsen's Nora or A Doll's House)
• Nora Heroum (football player from Finland)
• Nora Heschl (actress)
• Nora Heysen (Australian painter)
• Nora Holt (American singer)