MallowbyNames

Nura

NOOR-ah · Light or radiance, derived from the Arabic word for light.

2025 rank (girls)
#3,211
Babies named in 2025
49
Peak popularity
2019
2025 frequency
1 in 32,801 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1985

Rising since 1985, #3,211 for girls today.

Popularity of Nura since 1981

Babies named Nura per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1938571990200020102020Most births 2019Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1980s69
1990s84
2000s141
2010s321
2020s289

Meaning & origin

The name Nura, of Arabic origin, means 'light' or 'radiance,' directly from the root 'nur.' Recorded in US data since 1981, its popularity has grown steadily, rising from obscurity to a peak rank in 2019. By 2025, it ranked 3211th with a frequency of 1 in 32801 births, reflecting its increasing appeal, particularly in states like New York. Its trajectory has been consistently upward since 1985, marking it as a name on the rise in the 2010s.

Nura is a feminine given name of Arabic origin, directly derived from the word 'nur' (نور) meaning 'light' or 'radiance'. It is a common name across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally, often chosen for its positive connotations of illumination and guidance. The name has seen increasing use in the United States since the 1980s, particularly in the 2010s.

Where Nura is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nura” around the world

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

  • France

    5

    babies in 2024

Sources: INSEE (France).

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Noura, Noora, Nour

Sibling names for Nura

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

Sisters: Layla, Amina, Zara, Leila, Maya

Brothers: Omar, Ali, Zayn, Isa, Amir, Aman

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

N is for Nura, our favorite little girl.

N is for Nura…”

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

Make Nura's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Nura mean?
Nura means 'light' or 'radiance', derived from the Arabic word 'nur'.
How popular is Nura?
In 2025, Nura ranked 3211th in the US, with about 1 in 32801 newborns given the name.
Is Nura a girl's name?
Yes, Nura is almost exclusively used as a feminine name.