"motion, wandering"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Noah
Pronunciation: [ n-OH-uh ]
Boy Name
#2 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Ancient name of rest, honored across every faith
Hebrew
English
Christian
Biblical
Gentle
Classic
Spiritual
Meaning & Origin
"rest, comfort"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"wandering"
Origin: Alternative Hebrew interpretation
Language: Hebrew
The Story of Noah
Noah comes from the Hebrew Noach, derived from the root 'nuach' meaning to rest or comfort. In the Hebrew Bible, Noah is the righteous patriarch chosen by God to build an ark and preserve life through the great flood — one of the most universally recognized stories across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The name carries millennia of narrative weight in just two quiet syllables.
Noah rose to #1 in the US in 2013 and held the position for four consecutive years. Its simplicity, strong biblical heritage, and gentle sound aligned perfectly with the trend toward short, meaningful classic names for boys.
Noah is revered across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (as Nuh). In Islamic tradition he is one of the five major prophets. The name's universal recognition across Abrahamic faiths gives it rare cross-cultural and cross-religious prestige.
Fun Facts
- Noah was the #1 boy's name in the US from 2013 to 2016
- The name appears in the Torah, Bible, and Quran across all three Abrahamic faiths
- Noah (2014), starring Russell Crowe, brought the biblical story to a new generation
Noah in Other Languages
Arabic
Nuh
French
Noe
Hebrew
Noach
Italian
Noe
Spanish
Noe
Famous People Named Noah
N
Noah Kahan
Musician
1997
American folk-pop singer-songwriter known for Stick Season
N
Noah Centineo
Actor
1996
American actor known for To All the Boys I've Loved Before
N
Noah Wyle
Actor
1971
American actor known for ER and The Librarians
N
Noah Baumbach
Other
1969
American filmmaker known for Marriage Story and The Squid and the Whale
N
Noah Webster
Writer
1758
American lexicographer who created the first major American dictionary
N
Noah (Biblical)
Religious
Hebrew patriarch chosen by God to build the ark in the Book of Genesis
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2
- Total SSA Count
- 20,337
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Noah James
Noah Alexander
Noah William
Noah Thomas
Noah Oliver
Noah Henry
Noah Benjamin
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Noah is also used as a girl name, ranked #560.
View Noah as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Noah
What does the name Noah mean?
"motion, wandering" (from Hebrew). "rest, comfort" (from Hebrew). "wandering" (from Alternative Hebrew interpretation). Noah comes from the Hebrew Noach, derived from the root 'nuach' meaning to rest or comfort. In the Hebrew Bible, Noah is the righteous patriarch chosen by God to build an ark and preserve life through the great flood — one of the most universally recognized stories across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The name carries millennia of narrative weight in just two quiet syllables.
What is the origin of the name Noah?
Noah has Hebrew, Alternative Hebrew interpretation, English, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "motion, wandering". In Hebrew, it means "rest, comfort". In Alternative Hebrew interpretation, it means "wandering".
Is Noah a boy or girl name?
Noah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2. As a girl name, it is ranked #560. Noah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Noah?
Noah is pronounced n-OH-uh.
How popular is the name Noah?
Noah is currently ranked #2 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Noah?
Popular middle name pairings include Noah James, Noah Alexander, Noah William, Noah Thomas, Noah Oliver, Noah Henry, and Noah Benjamin.
What are good sibling names for Noah?
Names that pair well with Noah as siblings include Olivia, Emma, Sophia, Liam, Elijah, Ava, and Charlotte.
How many syllables does Noah have?
Noah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Noah a common or rare name?
Noah is a very popular name, ranked #2 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Noah
Noah is a boy name with Hebrew, English, and Christian origins . The name means "motion, wandering" in Hebrew .
Is Noah a boy or girl name? Noah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #560. Noah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Noah is currently ranked #2 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Noah has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-OH-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Noah include Noa, Noam . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.