Honor

Pronunciation: [ AHN-er ]

Girl Name #2,098 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A virtue name of quiet, lasting dignity

English Irish American

Classic Elegant Traditional Vintage Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"dignity, esteem, reputation"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

The Story of Honor

Honor comes from the Latin 'honorem', meaning esteem, dignity, and reputation. It entered English through Old French 'onor' after the Norman Conquest. As a given name, Honor belongs to the English tradition of virtue names — names chosen for qualities parents hope their children will embody. The Irish form Honora (from the Latin Honorius) was common in Ireland, and Honor is a modernized form of this tradition.

Honor has been quietly gaining popularity among English-speaking parents attracted to virtue names. It feels simultaneously ancient and fresh — less familiar than Faith or Grace, but equally dignified. Jessica Alba brought attention to the name in 2008 when she named her daughter Honor.

In Irish tradition, Honor/Honora was a common name, partly influenced by Latin Christian naming and partly due to its phonetic similarity to the Irish name Onóra. The concept of honor is central to many cultures' social codes.

Fun Facts

Jessica Alba named her daughter Honor Marie in 2008, giving the name its biggest cultural boost in decades
The Latin Honorius was a Roman emperor's name (395-423 AD), showing the name's ancient noble pedigree

Honor in Other Languages

Irish Onóra

Latin Honoria

French Honorée

Italian Onoria

Spanish Honoria

Famous People Named Honor

Honor Marie Warren

Other

2008

Daughter of actress Jessica Alba, whose naming helped boost the name's popularity

Honor Blackman

Actor

1925

British actress known for playing Cathy Gale in The Avengers and Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,098
Total SSA Count: 91
Cultural Origins: English Irish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Honora #4806

Common Nicknames

Nora Honey

Pairs Well With

Honor Rose Honor Jane Honor Claire Honor Louise Honor Mae Honor Wren

Sibling Names

Verity Constance Prudence Felix Noble Justice

Also a Boy Name

Honor is also used as a boy name, ranked #1585.

View Honor as a boy name →

Similar Names

Annie Hannah Anne Ann Hanna Anita Leanna Ana

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Honor

What does the name Honor mean?

"dignity, esteem, reputation" (from Latin). Honor comes from the Latin 'honorem', meaning esteem, dignity, and reputation. It entered English through Old French 'onor' after the Norman Conquest. As a given name, Honor belongs to the English tradition of virtue names — names chosen for qualities parents hope their children will embody. The Irish form Honora (from the Latin Honorius) was common in Ireland, and Honor is a modernized form of this tradition.

What is the origin of the name Honor?

Honor has Latin, English, Irish, and American origins. In Latin, it means "dignity, esteem, reputation".

Is Honor a boy or girl name?

Honor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2098. As a boy name, it is ranked #1585. Honor is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Honor?

Honor is pronounced AHN-er.

How popular is the name Honor?

Honor is currently ranked #2098 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Honor?

Common nicknames for Honor include Nora and Honey.

What are good middle names for Honor?

Popular middle name pairings include Honor Rose, Honor Jane, Honor Claire, Honor Louise, Honor Mae, and Honor Wren.

What are good sibling names for Honor?

Names that pair well with Honor as siblings include Verity, Constance, Prudence, Felix, Noble, and Justice.

How many syllables does Honor have?

Honor has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Honor a common or rare name?

Honor is an uncommon name, ranked #2098 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Honor

Honor is a girl name with English, Irish, and American origins . The name means "dignity, esteem, reputation" in Latin .

Is Honor a boy or girl name? Honor is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,098 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,585. Honor is more commonly used as a boy name.

Honor is currently ranked #2,098 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Honor has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHN-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Honor include Nora and Honey. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Honor include Honora . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.