Nora sits comfortably in the UK charts at #86 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Irish/Latin — Honour; light
📊
UK Rank 2024
#86
US Rank #22
About the Name Nora
Nora has never been more popular than it is right now, sitting at UK #86. The name has climbed 67 places in the last five years — a significant surge by any measure. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It briefly reached the UK top 100, though it typically sits a little further down the charts.
The name carries Irish/Latin roots, where it means "Honour; light". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Nora is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #22, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Nora
Unlikely. With around 549 UK babies named Nora per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Nora in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Nora is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 67 places over the last five years to #86 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
The name Nora has Irish/Latin origins and means "Honour; light". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Nora include: Nora En Pure — Daniela Di Lillo, better known by her stage name Nora En Pure, is a Swiss-South African DJ and deep house producer.; Nora Waldstätten — Nora Marie-Theres Beatrice Elisabeth Waldstätten is an Austrian actress, also formerly known in German productions as Nora von Waldstätten.; Nora Danish — Nora Mohd Danish Hanif, professionally known as Nora Danish, is a Malaysian actress, singer, host and model..
Nora ranks #22 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
549
UK babies named Nora (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.3
In a school of 600
↑ 67 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Nora
Likely around 1 other Nora in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Nora
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Daniela Di Lillo, better known by her stage name Nora En Pure, is a Swiss-South African DJ and deep house producer. She first received recognition for her 2013 single "Come With Me".
Nora Dunn is an American actress, comedian and writer. She first garnered popularity during her tenure as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1990.
Nora Maier Forster was a German-British music promoter, publishing heiress, actress, and model. Before moving to London in the late 1960s, she worked in West Germany with Jimi Hendrix, Wishbone Ash, and Yes.
Nora Pouillon is an Austrian chef, restaurateur, and author. She was the owner of Restaurant Nora in Washington, D.C., famous for its status as America's first certified organic restaurant.