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Noah Name Meaning, Origins & History

Noah

Pronunciation: NOH-uh

Meaning Possibly Rest or Wanderer Origin Hebrew Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#2
TREND
—
GIRLS RANK
#624
TREND
63
Peak Years
2025, 2024, 2015
Lowest Years
1904, 1899, 1903
Energy Archetype
Imaginative & Adventurous

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Noah in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Noah

  • An all-time favorite: U.S. records show 529,383 boys named Noah from 1880 through 2025.
  • An established favorite: Noah held a place in the U.S. top 100 for 31 consecutive years, from 1995 through 2025.
  • More than 534 thousand babies named Noah: U.S. records list 534,398 babies given the name Noah from 1880 through 2025. Even 5,015 girls received the name Noah - about 1 girl for every 106 boys.

What Does the Name Noah Mean?

Noah is a masculine name from Hebrew, commonly explained as "rest" or "comfort." Its Hebrew form is נֹחַ (Noach). The usual etymology connects the name with the root נ-ו-ח (n-w-ḥ), "to rest" or "to settle." In Genesis 5:29, Lamech names his son and says, "This one will comfort us" (Hebrew yenaḥamenu), a wordplay on the root נ-ח-ם (n-ḥ-m), "to comfort." That biblical pun gave rise to the traditional meaning "comfort," but it does not prove the name's original derivation. The exact relationship between the two roots is debated, and the more literal root sense is generally given as "rest." The feminine Hebrew name נֹעָה (Noa), which appears in Numbers 26:33, is generally treated as a separate name.

Noah Name History & Origins

Noah appears in the Hebrew Bible as the son of Lamech and the central figure of the flood story in Genesis 6 - 9. He is described as a righteous man who walked with God, and after the flood God makes a covenant with him and sets the rainbow as its sign. The Hebrew name is נֹחַ (Noach). The Greek Septuagint renders it Νῶε (Nōe), and the Latin Vulgate uses Noe; the English form Noah derives from these forms and is used in the King James Bible of 1611. The New Testament mentions Noah as a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) and as an example of faith (Hebrews 11:7). In the Quran, he is the prophet نُوح (Nūḥ), who calls his people to worship God and builds the ark; the seventy-first surah is named after him. In medieval English mystery plays, Noah was a character in the flood pageants. Forms of the name in other languages include French and Spanish Noé, Italian Noè, German Noah, and Russian Ной (Noy).

How Popular is the Name Noah?

Noah remained among the top 100 boy names in the U.S. from 1995 to 2025. Its highest annual birth count was in 2025, and people born that year turn 1 in 2026.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Explore Name Lists Featuring Noah

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

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How the Name Noah Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You have a vivid imagination who can bring inspired messages to the world. You like to enjoy the pleasures of life, and when self is overcome, you can rise to the heights. You have an ability to avoid trouble - that is why you often fails to learn from experiences. You are restless, sociable people-oriented, a lover of change, and a seeker of adventure and new thrills. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.

You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.

✦ Noah's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Noah's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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