Norah
Norah is a Muslim girl name meaning “Light (as Arabic Nura)”.
| Meaning | Light (as Arabic Nura) |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Arabic (also a separate European name) |
| Arabic spelling | نورة |
| Pronunciation | NOR-ah |
| Arabic root | ن و ر (n-w-r) — light |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Norah
For Arab families Norah is a spelling of Nūra, the feminine form of nūr, 'light', from the root n-w-r. Light is a rich word in Islamic language, standing for guidance, faith and clarity, so the name is usually translated simply as 'light' or 'radiance'. The spelling Norah, with a final h, mirrors the Arabic feminine ending and gives the name an easy international look, which is one reason it is popular with Muslim parents in the West as well as in the Gulf.
In Arabic it is written نورة and pronounced NOO-rah, and Noura, Nourah, Noora and Nura are other spellings of the same name. It is especially common in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. A famous bearer was Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman, the elder sister of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, after whom a large women's university in Riyadh is named. The identical-looking European Nora has a separate origin as a short form of names such as Honora and Eleanor, so the meaning depends on which tradition a family is drawing from.
Famous people named Norah
- Nourah bint Abdul Rahman — Saudi princess, elder sister of King Abdulaziz, after whom a Riyadh university is named
Is Norah a Muslim name?
Yes, when used as a spelling of the Arabic Nura (light), Norah is a Muslim name. The identical-looking European Nora has a separate, non-Arabic origin.
Where is the name Norah used?
Common in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf; also widely used in the West as an unrelated name.
Gifts with the name Norah
- Norah name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Norah baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Norah
More girl names like Norah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Norah mean?
Norah means 'Light (as Arabic Nura)'. It comes from Arabic (also a separate European name).
Is Norah a Muslim name?
Yes, when used as a spelling of the Arabic Nura (light), Norah is a Muslim name. The identical-looking European Nora has a separate, non-Arabic origin.
How do you write Norah in Arabic?
Norah is written نورة in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Norah?
Norah is pronounced NOR-ah.
Is Norah the same as Noura?
Yes. Norah, Noura, Nourah and Nura are all spellings of the same Arabic name, meaning light.
Is Norah in the Quran?
The name itself does not appear, but nur, light, from which it comes, is a frequent and important word in the Quran.