Holding steady.
Popularity of Nou since 1979
Babies named Nou per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 | 0 |
| 1980s | 147 | 12 |
| 1990s | 191 | 44 |
| 2000s | 9 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nou is an extremely rare name in U.S. records, with its first recorded use in 1979. Its peak year came in 1993, after which usage declined sharply. In 2025, it did not rank among the top 1000 names and its 1-in-N incidence is too low to calculate precisely. The name's trajectory has been stable in recent decades, reflecting its uncommon status. Nou is likely a modern respelling of the Arabic name Noor or Nour, meaning 'light', a derivation supported by its contemporary appearance and lack of earlier historical usage. Given its scarcity, it has no strong association with any U.S. state. Parents drawn to Nou may appreciate its simplicity and connection to the more familiar Noor.
Nou is a rare name with uncertain derivation. It is likely a modern variant or respelling of Noor or Nour, Arabic names meaning 'light'. Its first recorded use in U.S. data is in 1979. It saw peak usage in 1993, but overall remains uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Nou
Names that share Nou's style, for a brother or sister.
