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.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6,521 |
| 1890s | 8,293 |
| 1900s | 7,172 |
| 1910s | 11,063 |
| 1920s | 12,298 |
| 1930s | 8,926 |
| 1940s | 9,405 |
| 1950s | 11,540 |
| 1960s | 9,521 |
| 1970s | 5,770 |
| 1980s | 5,532 |
| 1990s | 5,532 |
| 2000s | 10,922 |
| 2010s | 44,076 |
| 2020s | 36,567 |
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.
“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
Famous people named Nora
- Nora Ephron · American essayist, screenwriter, and film director
- Nora Roberts · best-selling American romance novelist
- Nora Barnacle · wife and muse of James Joyce
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.

