"motion, movement"
Origin: Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name
Language: Hebrew
Noah
Pronunciation: [ n-OH-uh ]
Does Noah flow with your last name?
A female biblical name — the daughter who inherited everything
American
English
Israeli
European
Modern
Minimalist
Gentle
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"rest, comfort (when borrowing the male Noah's meaning)"
Origin: Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ)
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- Noah is overwhelmingly male in the US — using it for a girl may lead to frequent gender assumptions. In Israel, Noa (נוֹעָה) is a distinct Hebrew female name and is common.
The Story of Noah
The female Noah/Noa has a distinct Hebrew origin from the male Noah. In the Bible (Numbers 27), Noa (נוֹעָה) is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who successfully petitioned Moses to inherit their father's land — a remarkably progressive legal moment in the text. The name Noa (feminine) means 'motion' or 'movement,' from the Hebrew root n-w-h. It is entirely separate in origin from the male Noah (נֹחַ), which means 'rest' or 'comfort.' When Noah is used as a girl's name in Western countries, it borrows the spelling but may draw on the female Noa's heritage.
In Israel, Noa has been a top-5 girl's name for decades. In the US, Noah as a girl's name has risen dramatically since 2015, with many parents attracted to the name's familiarity, gentle sound, and gender-neutral quality. It now ranks in the US top 100 for girls — unusual for a name so dominant for boys (#1 in the US for boys since 2013).
In Israel, female Noa is a beloved cultural name — singer Noa (Achinoam Nini) is one of Israel's most famous musical exports. For Western parents, using Noah for a girl is a bold gender-neutral choice that signals contemporary naming sensibility. The name's dual heritage (male ark-builder and female biblical inheritor) gives it rich layered meaning.
Historical Record
Noah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1961.
Over 4,541 babies have been named Noah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Noah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #560 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Noa daughter of Zelophehad is one of five sisters in Numbers 27 who won the right to inherit land — a landmark moment in biblical law
- In Israel, Noa is a top-5 girl's name entirely independent of the male Noah
- Noah has been the #1 boy's name in the US since 2013, making its use for girls a genuinely bold choice
Noah in Other Languages
French
Noa
German
Noa
Hebrew
נוֹעָה
Italian
Noa
Spanish
Noa
Japanese
ノア
Popularity Over Time
#560
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Noah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #560
- Total SSA Count
- 539
- Cultural Origins
- American English Israeli European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Noe
Noa
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Noah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Noah is also used as a boy name, ranked #2.
View Noah as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Noah →Compare Noah with...
Same Origin Names (American)
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"son of Matthew, gift of God"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Noah
What does the name Noah mean?
"motion, movement" (from Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name). "rest, comfort (when borrowing the male Noah's meaning)" (from Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ)). The female Noah/Noa has a distinct Hebrew origin from the male Noah. In the Bible (Numbers 27), Noa (נוֹעָה) is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who successfully petitioned Moses to inherit their father's land — a remarkably progressive legal moment in the text. The name Noa (feminine) means 'motion' or 'movement,' from the Hebrew root n-w-h. It is entirely separate in origin from the male Noah (נֹחַ), which means 'rest' or 'comfort.' When Noah is used as a girl's name in Western countries, it borrows the spelling but may draw on the female Noa's heritage.
What is the origin of the name Noah?
Noah has Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name, Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ), American, English, Israeli, and European origins. In Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name, it means "motion, movement". In Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ), it means "rest, comfort (when borrowing the male Noah's meaning)".
Is Noah a boy or girl name?
Noah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #560. As a boy name, it is ranked #2. Noah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Noah?
Noah is pronounced n-OH-uh.
How popular is the name Noah?
Noah is currently ranked #560 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Noah?
Common nicknames for Noah include Noe and Noa.
What are good middle names for Noah?
Popular middle name pairings include Noah Grace, Noah Rose, Noah Jane, Noah Mae, Noah Blue, Noah June, and Noah Claire.
What are good sibling names for Noah?
Names that pair well with Noah as siblings include Levi, Eli, Elara, Iris, Asher, Luna, and Milo.
How many syllables does Noah have?
Noah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Noah a common or rare name?
Noah is moderately common, ranked #560 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Noah?
Are there other spellings for Noah?
Related spellings include Noa.
About the Name Noah
Noah is a girl name with American, English, Israeli, and European origins . The name means "motion, movement" in Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name .
Is Noah a boy or girl name? Noah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #560 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2. Noah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Noah is currently ranked #560 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Noah has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-OH-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Noah include Noe and Noa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Noah include Noa . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis