Declining since 2020, #2,173 for girls today.
Popularity of Nuri since 1975
Babies named Nuri per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 28 |
| 1980s | 8 | 7 |
| 1990s | 78 | 29 |
| 2000s | 63 | 94 |
| 2010s | 417 | 176 |
| 2020s | 598 | 176 |
Meaning & origin
Nuri is a name of Arabic and Turkish origin, meaning 'light' or 'my fire.' It has been recorded in U.S. data since 1989 and experienced a peak in popularity in 2019 when it ranked highest. Since 2020, its usage has been declining. In 2025, it ranks 2,173 and occurs in approximately 1 in 18,909 births. The name is most prevalent in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, suggesting regional appeal. Nuri offers a short, melodious sound with cross-cultural resonance, suitable for families seeking a name with a luminous meaning.
Nuri is derived from the Arabic word 'nur' meaning 'light.' It is used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Turkey as a masculine given name, though it is occasionally given to girls in some cultures. In Turkish, it can be a variant of Nuriye or a standalone name. The name has seen modest use in the United States since the late 1980s.
Where Nuri is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nuri” around the world
Where Nuri lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Nuri
Names that share Nuri's style, for a brother or sister.
