Noah

Pronunciation: [ n-OH-uh ]

Girl Name #560 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A female biblical name — the daughter who inherited everything

American English Israeli European

Modern Minimalist Gentle Trendy Unique

Meaning & Origin

"motion, movement"

Origin: Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name

Language: Hebrew

"rest, comfort (when borrowing the male Noah's meaning)"

Origin: Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ)

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

Noah is overwhelmingly male in the US — using it for a girl may lead to frequent gender assumptions. In Israel, Noa (נוֹעָה) is a distinct Hebrew female name and is common.

The Story of Noah

The female Noah/Noa has a distinct Hebrew origin from the male Noah. In the Bible (Numbers 27), Noa (נוֹעָה) is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who successfully petitioned Moses to inherit their father's land — a remarkably progressive legal moment in the text. The name Noa (feminine) means 'motion' or 'movement,' from the Hebrew root n-w-h. It is entirely separate in origin from the male Noah (נֹחַ), which means 'rest' or 'comfort.' When Noah is used as a girl's name in Western countries, it borrows the spelling but may draw on the female Noa's heritage.

In Israel, Noa has been a top-5 girl's name for decades. In the US, Noah as a girl's name has risen dramatically since 2015, with many parents attracted to the name's familiarity, gentle sound, and gender-neutral quality. It now ranks in the US top 100 for girls — unusual for a name so dominant for boys (#1 in the US for boys since 2013).

In Israel, female Noa is a beloved cultural name — singer Noa (Achinoam Nini) is one of Israel's most famous musical exports. For Western parents, using Noah for a girl is a bold gender-neutral choice that signals contemporary naming sensibility. The name's dual heritage (male ark-builder and female biblical inheritor) gives it rich layered meaning.

Fun Facts

Noa daughter of Zelophehad is one of five sisters in Numbers 27 who won the right to inherit land — a landmark moment in biblical law
In Israel, Noa is a top-5 girl's name entirely independent of the male Noah
Noah has been the #1 boy's name in the US since 2013, making its use for girls a genuinely bold choice

Noah in Other Languages

French Noa

German Noa

Hebrew נוֹעָה

Italian Noa

Spanish Noa

Japanese ノア

Famous People Named Noah

Noah Cyrus

Musician

2000

American singer-songwriter and sister of Miley Cyrus, helping establish Noah as a female given name in pop culture

Noa (Achinoam Nini)

Musician

1969

Israeli singer known internationally as Noa, one of Israel's most celebrated musical ambassadors

Noa daughter of Zelophehad

Other

One of five sisters in the biblical Book of Numbers who successfully claimed their father's inheritance, a landmark mome...

One of five sisters in the biblical Book of Numbers who successfully claimed their father's inheritance, a landmark moment in biblical law

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #560
Total SSA Count: 539
Cultural Origins: American English Israeli European
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Noa #253

Common Nicknames

Noe Noa

Pairs Well With

Noah Grace Noah Rose Noah Jane Noah Mae Noah Blue Noah June Noah Claire

Sibling Names

Levi Eli Elara Iris Asher Luna Milo

Also a Boy Name

Noah is also used as a boy name, ranked #2.

View Noah as a boy name →

Similar Names

Clara Cora Laura Dora Nora Flora Lola Lenora

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Noah and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Noah sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Noah

What does the name Noah mean?

"motion, movement" (from Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name). "rest, comfort (when borrowing the male Noah's meaning)" (from Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ)). The female Noah/Noa has a distinct Hebrew origin from the male Noah. In the Bible (Numbers 27), Noa (נוֹעָה) is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who successfully petitioned Moses to inherit their father's land — a remarkably progressive legal moment in the text. The name Noa (feminine) means 'motion' or 'movement,' from the Hebrew root n-w-h. It is entirely separate in origin from the male Noah (נֹחַ), which means 'rest' or 'comfort.' When Noah is used as a girl's name in Western countries, it borrows the spelling but may draw on the female Noa's heritage.

What is the origin of the name Noah?

Noah has Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name, Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ), American, English, Israeli, and European origins. In Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name, it means "motion, movement". In Hebrew Noah (נֹחַ), it means "rest, comfort (when borrowing the male Noah's meaning)".

Is Noah a boy or girl name?

Noah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #560. As a boy name, it is ranked #2. 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 #560 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Noah?

Common nicknames for Noah include Noe and Noa.

What are good middle names for Noah?

Popular middle name pairings include Noah Grace, Noah Rose, Noah Jane, Noah Mae, Noah Blue, Noah June, and Noah Claire.

What are good sibling names for Noah?

Names that pair well with Noah as siblings include Levi, Eli, Elara, Iris, Asher, Luna, and Milo.

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 moderately common, ranked #560 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Noah

Noah is a girl name with American, English, Israeli, and European origins . The name means "motion, movement" in Hebrew Noa (נוֹעָה) — the female biblical name .

Is Noah a boy or girl name? Noah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #560 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2. Noah is more commonly used as a boy name.

Noah is currently ranked #560 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Noah has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-OH-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Noah include Noe and Noa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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