Rising since 1985, #226 for girls today.
Popularity of Noa since 1970
Babies named Noa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 17 | 10 |
| 1980s | 70 | 41 |
| 1990s | 411 | 131 |
| 2000s | 1,543 | 673 |
| 2010s | 3,378 | 673 |
| 2020s | 6,396 | 906 |
Meaning & origin
Noa is a concise, cross-cultural name with strong biblical roots and a modern, minimalist feel. In the United States, it has been recorded since 1970, but its ascent began in the mid-1980s, with consistent growth into the 2020s. By 2025, it reached its peak rank of 226, with a frequency of 1 in 1192 girls. The trajectory projects further rise, reflecting a broader trend toward short, vowel-ending names. Geographically, Noa is most popular in Hawaii, Alaska, and Connecticut, suggesting appeal in diverse, coastal regions. The name avoids the pitfalls of trendiness due to its ancient heritage, but its recent spike owes much to the popularity of similar sounds (like Noah for boys and Mia or Mila for girls). Noa remains distinct from the more common Noah, and its unisex potential in other languages adds depth, though in the U.S. it is overwhelmingly girl-given. For parents drawn to names that are short, soft, and scripturally grounded, Noa offers a rare blend of simplicity and substance.
Noa is a Hebrew name from the Old Testament, borne by one of the five daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 26:33). The meaning is debated; it may derive from the Hebrew root n-w-‘ meaning 'to move' or 'to shake', or it could relate to words for 'beauty' or 'pleasantness'. In modern times, Noa has been used internationally as a short form of names like Noelle or Noah, but the biblical name remains distinct. It has gained popularity in the United States since the 1980s, rising steadily into the 2020s.
Where Noa is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Noa” around the world
Where Noa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#77
in 2024
Ireland
10
babies in 2025
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Quebec
29
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Sibling names for Noa
Names that share Noa's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Lila, Romy, Sara, Talia, Ami, Atara, Aviva, Ayala, Chava, Eden, Kalia, Keilani, Leilani, Shira, Ahuva, Amariah, Ani, Kiani, Lailani, Liora, Lizet, Nava, Neta, Sari, Tali, Talya, Tiare, Tova, Ahava, Anah, Anouk, Aolani, Ary, Aviella, Avigayil, Avital, Aviyah, Channa, Eri, Gal, Galia, Hadasa, Hila, Ka, Kania, Katriel, Lanai, Leiani, Liat, Lielle, Maayan, Miri, Natania, Ohana, Orly, Rei, Rut, Seraiah, Shelah, Sivan, Ulani, Zahava, Zo, Aviela, Ayelet, Efrata, Hadar, Hodaya, Kamaile, Laelani, Leilanie, Libni, Malu, Maytal, Mazal, Moriyah, Na, Neilani, Nelani, Noga, Oriyah, Ruah, Sefora, Seri, Shir, Shirel, Shiya, Tarita, Temima, Tovah, Yaeli, Yaffa, Yarden, Ytzel, Zivah, Gali, Hadas, Ailanie, Ailanni, Atalya, Blia, Carmi, Chavi, Emunah, Galit, Hadara, Hadasah, Hadasha, Havah, Ia, Kailanni, Lai, Liel, Meital, Meleni, Nalea, Nolani, Orah, Orit, Raaya, Sarit, Shalva, Shanoah, Shirah, Shiri, Talli, Tehillah, Yafa, Yanai, Zehava, Zohara
Brothers: Levi, Ezra, Milo, Jonah, Oren, Ari, Avi, Cohen, Dov, Gil, Izrael, Jireh, Kohen, Yael, Zabdiel, Adiel, Aharon, Akiva, Alon, Aryeh, Aviel, Eitan, Elam, Enoc, Ezrah, Gadiel, Gavriel, Hillel, Ilan, Isaak, Izael, Koen, Lev, Micaiah, Nakoa, Oziel, Raziel, Ronen, Shai, Shamir, Shaya, Tal, Tamir, Uri, Uziel, Yair, Yonatan, Yonathan, Zev, Arye, Asaf, Asaph, Avner, Barak, Betzalel, Cassiel, Chai, Dayan, Doron, Eyal, Eytan, Ezriel, Hazael, Idan, Ikaika, Itai, Jediah, Joah, Kona, Lior, Matan, Nadav, Omri, Reo, Shimshon, Tomer, Tu, Yahel, Yishai, Yoav, Yona, Yonah, Yoni, Yossi, Yuval, Zaccai, Zvi, Aizik, Allon, Amitai, Amrom, Arel, Avishai, Aviv, Cannan, Ebin, Elad, Elior, Erez, Esaias, Etai, Gedalya, Hadriel, Harel, Ilai, Ilay, Itamar, Jedaiah, Kyo, Lavi, Makana, Merel, Nalu, Netanel, Nissim, Osher, Refael, Refoel, Rishon, Sem, Tuvia, Yaniv, Yaron, Ziv, Itay, Adar, Adir, Aitan, Arad, Arieh, Baruc, Bezalel, Chananya, Chanoch, Dagan, Danon, Eliav, Elroi, Ezael, Gilad, Haim, Ido, Imri, Leor, Liron, Maan, Maor, Meshilem, Navon, Niv, Ory, Ovadia, Ronith, Shalev, Thijs, Tovia, Tzion, Yeudiel, Yohanan, Yonael, Yoniel, Yotam, Zeev, Zoel
Names like Noa
Names whose popularity has moved with Noa's over the last 50 years.
