Rising since 1987, #1,267 for boys today.
Popularity of Noam since 1961
Babies named Noam per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 | 42 |
| 1970s | 0 | 123 |
| 1980s | 5 | 172 |
| 1990s | 62 | 258 |
| 2000s | 94 | 623 |
| 2010s | 60 | 996 |
| 2020s | 23 | 688 |
Meaning & origin
Noam is a Hebrew name meaning pleasantness, drawn directly from the Biblical Hebrew word no'am. First recorded in U.S. data in 1961, the name began a steady rise in popularity starting in 1987. By 2025, it reached its peak rank at 1267, with approximately 1 in 11,020 newborn boys receiving the name. The name is most prevalent in New Jersey, Maryland, and New York. While Noam has deep roots in Jewish tradition, its modern usage has been propelled by well-known bearers, most notably linguist Noam Chomsky. The name offers a short, strong, and meaningful choice that has seen increasing appeal among families seeking a distinctive yet traditional name.
Noam is a Hebrew name derived from the word "no'am" (נֹעַם), meaning pleasantness, delight, or sweetness. In the Hebrew Bible, Noam is a minor figure mentioned as a son of Bela in the Book of Chronicles. The name has been used among Jewish communities for centuries, and gained broader recognition in the late 20th century due to prominent figures such as linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky.
Where Noam is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Noam” around the world
Where Noam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
560
babies in 2024
Quebec
40
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Noey
Variants: No'am, Noom
Sibling names for Noam
Names that share Noam's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ariel, Eliana, Maya, Shira, Talia, Atara, Batsheva, Chava, Chaya, Hadassa, Leora, Liora, Meira, Nava, Rivka, Sari, Shaindy, Shifra, Shoshana, Tali, Tova, Tzipora, Ashira, Atarah, Aviella, Avigayil, Aviyah, Batya, Galia, Gila, Hadasa, Hila, Liat, Lielle, Miri, Natanya, Netanya, Orli, Orly, Rifky, Tehila, Tziporah, Tzivia, Yaira, Yakira, Aariel, Ailed, Amalya, Anael, Aviela, Hava, Naama, Naarah, Naava, Nehemie, Nili, Nira, Shamra, Sharai, Shirel, Temima, Tzippy, Yaeli, Yaffa, Ytzel, Zivah, Zohar, Adinah, Ahavah, Atalya, Bassheva, Carmi, Chasya, Chavi, Chayah, Dvora, Gavriella, Hallel, Liel, Margalit, Orah, Rinnah, Ruhama, Shalva, Sheera, Shirah, Talli, Tehilla, Tirsa, Yafa, Yanai, Yeva, Yuriah
Brothers: Ethan, Levi, Micah, Oren, Ronen, Adiel, Amiel, Arik, Aviel, Eitan, Eliyahu, Gil, Hillel, Meir, Naftali, Ori, Shalom, Taj, Tal, Tamir, Uri, Uziel, Yael, Yehoshua, Yonatan, Agam, Bentzion, Benzion, Elimelech, Emet, Eran, Eytan, Ezriel, Oryan, Ronit, Yossi, Aizik, Avir, Duvid, Elior, Ilai, Lavi, Natanel, Nesanel, Nymir, Reuven, Aleph, Arieh, Chanoch, Danon, Haim, Hanniel, Ido, Leor, Ronith, Yedidya, Yojan, Yoniel, Yotam, Zelig
