The nameNoah
Noah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "rest, comfort". The name of the biblical builder of the ark, it is one of the most popular boys' names in the United States and Europe.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Noah comes from the Hebrew Noach, linked to the root nwh, "to rest". The Book of Genesis explains it with the words "this same shall comfort us".
Origin
Hebrew. Noah is the English form of the name of the patriarch who built the ark in Genesis. The French form is Noé, the Italian Noè.
History
Long favoured by Puritans and used in early America, as with the dictionary maker Noah Webster, Noah became very fashionable from the 2000s. It was the top boys' name in the United States from 2013 to 2016 and in England and Wales in 2021 and 2022, and it leads the charts in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway.
Noah in other languages
Noah is used in English and German. It is Noé in French and Spanish, Noè in Italian, Noach in Hebrew and Nuh in Arabic, the name of the prophet in the Quran. The Bible also has a woman named Noa, a different name, one of the daughters of Zelophehad.
Did you know?
- Noah Webster published his great American dictionary in 1828, which gave American English spellings such as color instead of colour.
- Noah Lyles won the 100 metres at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Yannick Noah is the last Frenchman to have won the men's title at the French Open, in 1983.
Famous people named Noah
- Noah, patriarch of the Bible
- Noah Webster, American lexicographer
- Noah Lyles, sprinter
- Noah Centineo, actor
Popularity of the name Noah
Noah in the United States
Noah was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 184,595 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Noah. Its rise began around 1994, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Noah in the United States were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 19,544 births a year.
Noah in the United Kingdom
Noah was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 43,887 births over the decade, 52% of all recorded babies named Noah. Its rise began around 2003, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Noah in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 4,861 births a year.
Noah in Ireland
Noah in France
Noah in Belgium
Noah in Switzerland
Noah in Austria
Noah in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Noah
Names from the same generation as Noah, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Noah? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Noah with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Noah side by side with the name of your choice.
Noah in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Noah mean?
Noah comes from the Hebrew Noach, linked to the root nwh, "to rest". The Book of Genesis explains it with the words "this same shall comfort us".
What is the origin of the name Noah?
Hebrew. Noah is the English form of the name of the patriarch who built the ark in Genesis. The French form is Noé, the Italian Noè.
Is Noah a girl's or a boy's name?
Noah is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Noah?
In 2024, Noah was the 2nd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 20,337 births.
What are the variants of the name Noah?
Variants and related names of Noah include Noa.
What are good sibling names for Noah?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Naomi, Olivia, Madelyn and Isabella for a sister, Elijah, Micah, Benjamin and James for a brother.
Who are famous people named Noah?
Noah, patriarch of the Bible; Noah Webster, American lexicographer; Noah Lyles, sprinter; Noah Centineo, actor.