MallowbyNames

Nora

NOR-uh · A short form of Honora (from Latin honor) and of Eleanora and Leonora, long used as an independent name, especially in Ireland.

2025 rank (girls)
#20
Babies named in 2025
6,380
Peak popularity
1881
2025 frequency
1 in 252 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1993

A 1880s favorite, climbing again.

Popularity of Nora since 1880

Babies named Nora per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nora's real moment was 1881.

2.1k4.3k6.4k1880192019602000Most births 2025Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s6,521
1890s8,293
1900s7,172
1910s11,063
1920s12,298
1930s8,926
1940s9,405
1950s11,540
1960s9,521
1970s5,770
1980s5,532
1990s5,532
2000s10,922
2010s44,076
2020s36,567

Meaning & origin

Few names trace a cleaner arc of departure and return than Nora. Its all-time high came back in 1881, in the earliest years of federal record-keeping; it then spent the middle of the 20th century in eclipse before turning upward in 1993. Three decades of steady climbing later, it sits at No. 20 for girls as of 2025, with about one in every 252 newborn girls receiving it, a full-scale revival, not a novelty.

The appeal is easy to state: two syllables, complete in itself, needing no nickname and no explanation. Nora carries Irish warmth from its life as a form of Honora, literary weight from Ibsen's heroine and Joyce's wife, and a sound that slots neatly beside Cora, Vera, and Alice in the current wave of grandmother-chic favorites. It also travels well, ranking among the favorites across much of northern Europe.

In the United States its firmest footholds are Vermont, New Hampshire, and Montana, quiet, northerly states where heirloom revivals tend to run strongest. For parents weighing it, the practical note is that Nora's climb has been long and gradual rather than a spike, the profile of a name likely to hold its ground.

Nora began as a pet form that outgrew its parents. In Ireland it stood for Honora, an Anglo-Norman name from Latin honor, and in wider European use it clipped Eleanora and Leonora, both descended from Eleanor, itself of debated origin, traditionally traced to the Old Provençal Alienor. By the 19th century Nora was fully independent: Ibsen gave it to the door-slamming heroine of A Doll's House (1879), and Nora Barnacle, James Joyce's wife and muse, lent it a bohemian literary glow. In America it was a Victorian staple that faded through the middle of the 20th century, then returned as part of the broad revival of gentle two-syllable heirloom names alongside Cora, Vera, and Alice.

Read more: Nora on Wikipedia

Where Nora 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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nora” around the world

Where Nora lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    #92

    in 2024

  • Ireland

    #76

    in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #67

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    #53

    in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #52

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Nonie, Norie

Variants: Norah, Nóra, Eleanora, Leonora, Honora

Famous people named Nora

Sibling names for Nora

Names that share Nora's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Charlotte, Amelia, Vera, Willa, Alice, Ava, Claire, Ella, Ellie, Emery, Lucy, Maeve, Mila, Stella, Alanna, Audra, Cora, Danna, Dora, Eileen, Elise, Elsie, Hattie, Jennie, Kara, Karla, Lana, Leila, Loren, Mya, Myra, Nola, Shauna, Aila, Ailene, Alaina, Alanah, Aleen, Alta, Alva, Amaia, Amora, Ariah, Ayla, Ayleen, Aylin, Brea, Bree, Brinley, Bryn, Caila, Cara, Celia, Claira, Corine, Dawna, Dessa, Doria, Elana, Elia, Elina, Elli, Elma, Elva, Emelie, Estel, Etta, Evyn, Glenna, Gretta, Halle, Ila, Ilana, Ina, Iva, Janna, Jayna, Kora, Lainie, Leena, Lela, Lelia, Leyla, Leyna, Lilah, Lina, Liv, Lona, Lula, Lura, Lyla, Lylah, Maggie, Maia, Mari, Mariel, Marla, Meda, Miah, Nedra, Noma, Ola, Oleta, Ona, Ora, Raina, Rayna, Renata, Reta, Rona, Roni, Shay, Shea, Taliah, Teara, Tera, Thea, Theda, Vada, Virgia, Winona, Yara, Zara, Zoie, Adalee, Adhara, Adora, Ailyn, Aira, Alease, Aleyna, Alida, Allena, Alona, Alvena, Anja, Anyah, Arla, Arlee, Aryah, Audrie, Avah, Ayda, Ayra, Barrie, Bryna, Calli, Carra, Ceola, Cera, Chany, Clora, Coreen, Daira, Dava, Dayra, Delany, Dori, Dyana, Eda, Edyn, Eila, Ela, Elta, Elyana, Elza, Ema, Emmi, Emori, Ena, Erie, Falon, Ilah, Illa, Irish, Isley, Ivie, Iyla, Jani, Jovie, Jule, Karah, Kathlyn, Keena, Kenna, Kera, Kimi, Kyah, Kyara, Lael, Laina, Lanna, Layna, Laynee, Laynie, Leiah, Lelah, Leni, Lenna, Lera, Leya, Leyah, Liah, Lilla, Loran, Lorean, Loria, Luci, Mabry, Maiya, Mali, Mattea, Mayla, Mea, Meah, Milah, Milla, Minta, Nadeen, Naudia, Neely, Neomi, Rayah, Rayanna, Rea, Reita, Rella, Renna, Riana, Romy, Roya, Ryanne, Sada, Safa, Sayra, Sela, Sera, Shaila, Shara, Shera, Shiela, Sina, Sula, Tanna, Tayah, Teah, Tesa, Tobi, Tomi, Tomie, Tresa, Tula, Ula, Vella, Vernia, Veva, Zona, Abra, Adelie, Adelin, Adra, Aela, Aelin, Ahna, Aina, Aisa, Aiva, Aixa, Aizah, Aleece, Aleenah, Aleesa, Aleisa, Alesa, Alessi, Aliannah, Aliene, Alin, Alis, Alleah, Allora, Alorah, Alyne, Alynn, Alyzah, Amela, Amorah, Anely, Anyia, Arah, Araina, Aralynn, Ardyn, Arella, Arisa, Arly, Arma, Arta, Arynn, Audery, Auna, Aunna, Aurie, Avri, Aza, Bena, Breah, Briget, Brin, Bula, Buna, Caela, Caira, Cala, Callia, Cana, Carah, Charish, Chera, Cira, Clarie, Clyda, Coni, Corah, Corra, Coryn, Cyra, Daena, Danea, Dari, Darlin, Dela, Dema, Docia, Dola, Dorla, Dorma, Dosha, Eiley, Eilleen, Eily, Elah, Elane, Elea, Eleen, Eleena, Eleina, Elese, Elika, Elis, Eliya, Elka, Ellah, Ellar, Eller, Elsia, Elyn, Elzora, Enna, Eola, Erina, Esmee, Evalee, Evani, Evey, Evi, Evia, Flannery, Helon, Herma, Ilean, Ilia, Ily, Inda, Ireta, Ivah, Ivee, Iza, Izella, Izora, Jarah, Jenah, Jera, Jerra, Jessye, Joei, Judea, Kadi, Kahla, Kana, Kayah, Kayda, Kayra, Keari, Keary, Keirah, Kela, Kessa, Keyna, Kila, Kimya, Kirah, Koral, Kyria, Lahna, Lalah, Lanah, Landy, Lari, Leaha, Leala, Leea, Leelah, Leetta, Leeya, Leeyah, Leida, Leighla, Leina, Leira, Letta, Leva, Lilya, Linna, Lira, Loghan, Lorali, Lore, Loula, Loura, Lumi, Lyana, Lydiann, Lylia, Lyna, Lyza, Maela, Maila, Maleny, Malone, Marea, Mayar, Mayda, Mayleen, Maylen, Mayli, Mayola, Meila, Meya, Mikka, Milca, Mileah, Milee, Mirah, Mora, Murriel, Nalah, Nea, Neah, Nela, Nely, Neola, Netta, Neyla, Noha, Nolia, Noni, Norita, Olivea, Olla, Oriah, Orma, Rainah, Reana, Reeda, Reeva, Rema, Resa, Rheya, Riah, Roena, Rorie, Sadi, Sarae, Saran, Saryah, Saydie, Selia, Seline, Serra, Sheilla, Shella, Signa, Sonna, Taleen, Taura, Tedra, Thaily, Theora, Thera, Tira, Toba, Tonna, Toria, Vara, Venna, Versa, Vila, Villa, Viona, Vona, Zaidee, Zanna, Zera, Ziara, Zissy, Zooey, Zorah, Zurie, Aara, Adalei, Adaly, Ader, Ahlana, Ahlia, Ahria, Ailah, Aily, Airel, Amea, Aneth, Angeleen, Anira, Anola, Areen, Areil, Atina, Auda, Aulora, Aury, Ausha, Ayde, Aylla, Blen, Braya, Chara, Chlora, Cielle, Cloee, Cola, Conda, Corinda, Cyrah, Dahlila, Dala, Daleth, Daly, Darah, Darrah, Deari, Der, Desa, Devra, Diora, Dore, Dura, Effa, Eilah, Eiliyah, Elain, Eleah, Elesa, Elira, Ellamae, Ellamay, Ellan, Ellarie, Ellayna, Ellina, Elorah, Elsi, Elynn, Emilija, Eria, Esmay, Esti, Eveleen, Evely, Eveny, Evett, Evetta, Exa, Eyleen, Eylin, Fraya, Frona, Gara, Gola, Haeli, Haylo, Hazyl, Ilea, Iley, Iliyah, Ingris, Ioma, Izara, Jeanny, Joury, Justa, Kaari, Kairah, Kaja, Kalla, Katherleen, Kathline, Katleen, Kaula, Kea, Kella, Kerah, Keria, Ketra, Kiela, Kla, Klair, Klaira, Kova, Kyrra, Laini, Laiyla, Laiza, Lannah, Larah, Larra, Larua, Lavren, Laylee, Leaira, Leba, Leiya, Lenni, Leyda, Leza, Liliah, Lilja, Lillah, Liller, Lilliah, Lima, Liya, Lorey, Lyah, Maebel, Mahaley, Makenah, Manna, Marae, Marka, Marra, Maryella, Mavie, Mayetta, Mayvis, Mee, Meily, Merrin, Miara, Minah, Minnah, Mirra, Monna, Morine, Mylea, Myna, Myrah, Naara, Natha, Neli, Nicie, Nolie, Noriah, Norva, Obera, Oletta, Osa, Ota, Raela, Rainna, Rakel, Rateel, Reyne, Rheana, Rin, Rissa, Sairah, Sala, Sarya, Savi, Sennie, Simya, Sorah, Tannah, Tarra, Tarrah, Tecora, Tomia, Torah, Vala, Valyn, Venia, Venora, Wana, Wynnie, Yarah, Zala, Zeda, Zilla, Aleeha, Allona, Avalie, Avey, Ayris, Ayssa, Elzina, Evanne, Jayel, Kita, Lenah, Lenya, Meiah, Myli, Naz, Saga, Seara, Shayra, Surie, Zhoe, Aaila, Aailyah, Aalina, Aaylah, Adea, Adiva, Airah, Aislee, Aizel, Alayssa, Alisah, Alle, Allea, Alleyne, Allyah, Amalee, Amaly, Amei, Amillya, Anab, Anda, Areal, Arriah, Arryn, Avea, Ayen, Ayrah, Ayriel, Azlee, Baela, Beila, Belky, Breta, Bridgitt, Bridie, Briea, Brigitt, Cadi, Calah, Caly, Catha, Cella, Ceria, Creasie, Daisa, Datha, Deara, Derra, Elaiya, Elanah, Elenie, Elieth, Elilah, Elleah, Elleen, Emera, Enisa, Erine, Esmie, Etana, Eupha, Euva, Evalin, Eymi, Ezmay, Ezrie, Fallan, Farin, Farra, Ferrah, Flara, Freada, Freyah, Gayna, Geniya, Hanni, Hara, Harla, Heela, Hela, Helem, Henya, Hydia, Ilee, Ilynn, Imona, Isma, Ivi, Jeda, Jerah, Jessah, Jhana, Jimma, Joda, Jora, Keah, Keelia, Kenora, Kesa, Kiira, Kili, Lacora, Laena, Laiah, Laianna, Laira, Lany, Lavra, Leeona, Leily, Lemma, Leyan, Liela, Lile, Lille, Linah, Linea, Liyla, Loany, Loda, Loyda, Lucee, Maileen, Malan, Malary, Mally, Mane, Marnae, Mati, Mava, Maylah, Mayve, Meeya, Meilah, Meili, Metha, Milea, Miski, Murdis, Nalla, Nare, Nary, Nedda, Neira, Nelliel, Nera, Neveen, Nolynn, Octa, Olar, Orean, Oreta, Orra, Ortha, Ovi, Phala, Prima, Raea, Ramsie, Reia, Reni, Reona, Rhaya, Rhena, Rhesa, Rhia, Roda, Rola, Rotha, Ryian, Saila, Sanora, Saraia, Saraih, Saree, Sarin, Seela, Seyla, Sherah, Sheva, Sira, Sydna, Syla, Tahra, Talah, Tamrah, Tarae, Tayra, Teeghan, Tema, Teva, Thaila, Tija, Tima, Torria, Tura, Veida, Veora, Veralynn, Vetta, Yanna, Yesha, Zaeda, Zaidy, Zannah, Zeidy, Zilah, Zoii

Brothers: Henry, Oliver, Leo, Owen, Theodore, Asher, Everett, Ezra, Finn, Grayson, Hudson, Jack, Liam, Lucas, Myles, Aidan, Aron, Boyd, Calvin, Colin, Dean, Donovan, Emmett, Grant, Harvey, Wesley, Zane, Aidyn, Aleck, Arian, Barret, Barton, Brennan, Brice, Bruno, Burt, Cael, Cale, Callan, Casper, Cass, Coleman, Cort, Coy, Dannie, Dilan, Dorsey, Doyle, Eathan, Eber, Elbert, Elden, Eliam, Elmo, Emmet, Ever, Finnegan, Flynn, Gael, Gilford, Grady, Hanson, Iker, Isa, Kale, Kalvin, Kellen, Kian, Killian, Kyan, Leron, Lian, Lon, Lowell, Lucca, Manning, Matthias, Mikah, Murrell, Nat, Odin, Olan, Oren, Ori, Orin, Penn, Quentin, Quenton, Ramsey, Rayan, Rayden, Riyan, Shaine, Sid, Sonny, Soren, Sylas, Tedd, Thad, Tobin, Tye, Vince, Von, Walton, Winford, Zeke, Aaden, Adi, Adler, Aldon, Ander, Aren, Arin, Arlan, Arland, Arnett, Arno, Arvil, Aslan, Bastian, Beck, Brennon, Cai, Carlin, Castiel, Cleon, Coen, Colon, Conley, Connell, Corin, Curley, Damen, Daymon, Desmon, Edan, Eian, Eiden, Elgin, Elson, Ennis, Eren, Eron, Eston, Ewan, Faron, Farris, Ferris, Gaige, Garvin, Geo, Glennon, Hagan, Hogan, Jacen, Jae, Jarom, Javan, Juel, Kael, Kain, Kaine, Kasper, Kelan, Kevan, Keyan, Kiel, Kiyan, Kobi, Landis, Lawerence, Levin, Link, Loki, Loris, Lucus, Macklin, Macon, Mayo, Micha, Mikal, Monta, Nery, Norton, Ole, Oneil, Orie, Ren, Rexford, Rogan, Rolla, Sander, Shain, Shia, Thor, Tyrus, Waylan, Wayland, Yerik, Zahir, Zeno, Adal, Adian, Adien, Adon, Adron, Adyan, Aidon, Aimar, Aiven, Alson, Amey, Anden, Anthon, Ariyan, Artin, Ason, Asta, Avel, Axell, Aylan, Baden, Bauer, Bensen, Bora, Brek, Broadus, Cailen, Calem, Calib, Carney, Carrell, Caston, Clenton, Cleven, Colman, Colvin, Con, Corde, Creig, Creston, Curren, Cylas, Cylus, Dagen, Dalan, Damin, Dawon, Deno, Dillin, Dilon, Donel, Donley, Donnel, Dorion, Doyal, Duaine, Duff, Dugan, Edrian, Ehan, Eidan, Eider, Elige, Eligh, Elim, Enis, Ericson, Eriq, Erman, Esvin, Evian, Ewing, Eydan, Farrel, Ferrel, Galvin, Garlan, Garron, Gehrig, Hadden, Hadyn, Hardie, Harrie, Hayze, Hoy, Iden, Ilo, Irby, Irvine, Isham, Ival, Ivin, Ja, Jaice, Jaiven, Jamen, Jaymar, Jayvin, Ji, Jobie, Joshwa, Kagen, Kail, Kalab, Kalem, Kanin, Kei, Kelin, Kennis, Keno, Keylor, Khaleb, Kord, Lain, Larence, Leiland, Lelan, Lelon, Lenton, Levie, Liev, Lindon, Lliam, Locke, Logun, Lonn, Lowry, Lucah, Lukah, Lukus, Mannix, Marston, Maynor, Milas, Miloh, Miran, Morrell, Nasier, Noal, Nolin, Noriel, Norvel, Olden, Ollis, Orlo, Orry, Oslo, Ovie, Pau, Paxon, Real, Reis, Rendell, Renne, Renwick, Reyan, Rj, Rockne, Roen, Rohen, Rolan, Shant, Stanly, Sylis, Talin, Tarus, Tevis, Thedore, Theon, Toren, Tosh, Tyris, Tysean, Venson, Volney, Welford, Yared, Yates, Zakhari, Zeth, Zidane, Aarian, Abron, Adain, Aidden, Airen, Aldan, Aldrick, Amyr, Ansen, Ariv, Arkan, Arkin, Arles, Arren, Arth, Aryon, Atwood, Aubra, Ayron, Aysen, Bartlett, Belford, Bera, Bodin, Brahm, Brenen, Burech, Calton, Cane, Cauy, Caven, Cavon, Chen, Clance, Claudis, Colan, Colen, Colyn, Corbet, Corian, Daimen, Davan, Decklan, Denney, Devell, Doak, Dorean, Dorwin, Duel, Eathen, Eddrick, Edon, Eilan, Ein, Elai, Elya, Elyan, Elye, Emric, Erlin, Escher, Estus, Etan, Evens, Evrett, Eward, Ezel, Filmore, Fin, Fredis, Fynn, Garet, Garrette, Garvey, Gleason, Graylon, Harwood, Hewitt, Isiac, Ithan, Iyan, Izen, Jakel, Jayen, Jeno, Jonus, Joren, Json, Kaelon, Kaius, Kalik, Keath, Keinan, Kester, Khairo, Khyrin, Klein, Klyde, Kohan, Kullen, Kyriee, Lahiam, Larri, Leam, Leanord, Leary, Leeam, Leelan, Leeman, Lennin, Lenon, Leven, Levii, Levis, Linc, Lonza, Loras, Lorik, Luken, Lukis, Marsden, Marx, Mase, Masin, Matson, Maxen, Mayford, Maykel, Merek, Mycah, Mylon, Myson, Nain, Needham, Nik, Nole, Nolyn, Normon, Odyn, Oryn, Osiah, Osker, Owin, Owynn, Paddy, Phelix, Quentyn, Rayner, Rhen, Rice, Rilan, Rivan, Robel, Romen, Sael, Sebron, Shadd, Shey, Sirus, Teodor, Theran, Tison, Torris, Traves, Tymon, Urie, Valon, Verlan, Welby, Westlee, Whalen, Willson, Wyland, Yida, Zaide, Zamier, Zevin, Zlatan, Asar, Daiden, Delan, Derrien, Diron, Emrik, Gustin, Leavy, Meric, Shanen, Sorren, Yazir, Yeiren, Aadin, Aari, Aaro, Adden, Adean, Adren, Adryen, Aeric, Aison, Allin, Almin, Alphus, Alver, Alyus, Aran, Argel, Arrin, Arvle, Ashyr, Asser, Atwell, Aulden, Avish, Axil, Azi, Balen, Bannon, Bellemy, Belton, Bengie, Biran, Borna, Bowan, Brannen, Broghan, Cace, Cadel, Callin, Calven, Caylum, Celvin, Chanc, Clarion, Cleburn, Collan, Cosby, Cowan, Cyrie, Dahl, Daschel, Diar, Dowell, Eann, Edker, Edras, Edrik, Ehitan, Eivan, Ejay, Elean, Eljay, Elmin, Elster, Elvan, Elzia, Erian, Esben, Ewart, Gor, Han, Harim, Hasten, Haston, Hulbert, Ikey, Imer, Inmer, Inri, Irah, Irbin, Ison, Ivann, Izzak, Jaken, Jaran, Jathen, Jhoel, Joa, Joal, Jyden, Kable, Kaelem, Kaenan, Kahleb, Kahner, Kaido, Kamdin, Kanton, Karas, Karo, Kelian, Kelven, Kenay, Kermitt, Khyan, Koron, Kyian, Kyston, Lanson, Larz, Lavin, Leelynd, Leiam, Lelend, Leny, Leray, Levan, Lewi, Liahm, Login, Louka, Lowen, Lui, Lukka, Luman, Lyal, Lyell, Macio, Mainor, Malic, Manus, Marvon, Math, Miking, Milon, Mory, Myreon, Nagi, Nahun, Nalan, Neer, Ness, Nester, Nethan, Newel, Nivin, Noan, Nobel, Nolon, Nore, Norlan, Odas, Ohn, Oli, Olivander, Ozil, Prish, Rayman, Remon, Reon, Revin, Reylan, Robben, Rolen, Rowin, Rydan, Ryman, Saban, Saben, Samil, Seith, Siris, Stanlee, Talis, Tevan, Tillmon, Timo, Ulys, Valin, Varick, Wallen, Wyley, Yorel, Yosohn, Zandon, Zeric, Zevi, Zoren

Names like Nora

Names whose popularity has moved with Nora's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Nora, our favorite little girl.

N is for Nora…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Nora's letter becomes Nora's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Nora's book

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Questions parents ask

What does Nora mean?
Nora is a short form of Honora, from the Latin word for honor, and of Eleanora and Leonora. In Ireland it has long stood on its own as an independent name.
How popular is Nora?
Nora ranked No. 20 for girls in 2025, given to about one in every 252 newborn girls. It has been climbing steadily since 1993.
Is Nora short for something?
Historically it abbreviated Honora, Eleanora, or Leonora, but today the vast majority of Noras are simply Nora. It works fully as a stand-alone name.
Nora or Norah, which spelling is standard?
Nora is the more common American spelling by a wide margin, but Norah (as in singer Norah Jones) is a long-established variant, not a modern invention.
What sibling names go well with Nora?
Nora pairs naturally with other revived classics: Alice, Vera, or Willa for a sister; Henry, Leo, or Oliver for a brother.