Nora
Nora is a girls' name of Irish origin meaning “honor, light.” It ranked #20 in the United States in 2025. An Irish short form of Honora (from Latin 'honor') and of Eleanor/Leonora (from Greek 'light').
Torn between Nora and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Nora?
NOR-uh
where does the name Nora come from?
Nora arrives by several routes: as a short form of the Irish Honora, from the Latin honor; as a short form of Eleanor; and as a short form of the Italian Leonora. All three shed their opening syllables, leaving the same result.
Nora Helmer, the protagonist of Henrik Ibsen's revolutionary 1879 play 'A Doll's House,' made the name a symbol of female independence.
how popular is this name?
Nora has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #20 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #20 |
| 2024 | #22 |
| 2023 | #24 |
| 2022 | #28 |
| 2021 | #27 |
| 2020 | #30 |
| 2019 | #29 |
| 2018 | #30 |
| 2017 | #29 |
| 2016 | #36 |
| 2010 | #159 |
| 2000 | #500 |
| 1990 | #431 |
| 1980 | #400 |
| 1970 | #365 |
| 1960 | #237 |
| 1950 | #225 |
| 1940 | #209 |
| 1930 | #190 |
| 1920 | #157 |
| 1910 | #111 |
| 1900 | #83 |
| 1890 | #63 |
| 1880 | #55 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Nora fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Nora
Ibsen's A Doll's House ends with Nora Helmer walking out and closing the door behind her — a sound said to have echoed through nineteenth-century Europe, and one of the defining moments of modern theatre. Nora Barnacle later gave the name a different literary weight as James Joyce's wife. It has returned strongly across Europe and America since 2000.
who are famous people named Nora?
- Nora Ephron (writer/director)
- Nora Roberts (novelist)
- Nora (Ibsen's A Doll's House)
what are the nicknames and variants of Nora?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Nora?
what names go well with Nora?
Sibling names that share Nora's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Nora
What does the name Nora mean?
Nora means “honor, light”.
What is the origin of the name Nora?
Nora comes from the Irish naming tradition. Related forms include Norah, Honora and Noora.
How popular is the name Nora?
Nora ranked #20 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #20, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Nora a boy or girl name?
Nora is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Nora?
Nora is pronounced NOR-uh, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Nora? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session