Nora is a charming and timeless female given name with roots tracing back to various cultures and languages. Derived from the Latin word "honor," which means "honor" or "honesty," Nora conveys a sense of dignity, respect, and integrity.
In some cases, Nora can also be considered a short form of the Greek name Honoria, meaning "of noble birth." This connection further emphasizes the name's association with elegance and refinement. Additionally, Nora is often associated with Scandinavian countries, where it is believed to mean "light" in Norse mythology.
Throughout history, Nora has been popular among numerous cultures and societies. In literature, the most notable figure named Nora is likely Nora Helmer from Henrik Ibsen's iconic play "A Doll's House." While the character's name may have contributed to a surge in popularity for the moniker during the late 19th century, Nora had already been in use as a given name prior to the play's debut.
Today, Nora continues to captivate parents and individuals alike with its enchanting sound and inspiring meaning. It has consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby names in the United States since the early 20th century, demonstrating its enduring appeal across generations. Regardless of cultural background or personal beliefs, those who bear the name Nora carry a powerful and evocative title that celebrates their inner strength and grace.
The name Nora has been consistently popular in the United States over the past century and a half. In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Nora began to increase steadily, with 471 births recorded in 1880 rising to 832 births by 1888.
The early 20th century saw continued growth in the popularity of the name Nora. Between 1900 and 1920, there were over 6,000 births recorded each year, with a peak of 1,477 births in 1920. However, after this point, the number of babies named Nora began to decline.
From the late 1930s to the mid-1950s, the number of births recorded for the name Nora hovered around the 800-900 mark each year. It wasn't until the mid-1950s that there was another increase in popularity, with over 1,000 babies named Nora annually between 1956 and 1963.
Thereafter, the number of births recorded for the name Nora dropped again, reaching a low of just 485 births in 1986. However, from the late 1980s onwards, there was another resurgence in popularity for the name Nora, with over 500 births recorded annually between 1987 and 2003.
In recent years, the name Nora has continued to gain popularity, with over 5,000 births recorded each year since 2004. The most popular year for the name Nora in the United States was 2022, with 6,143 babies named Nora born that year.
Overall, there have been a total of 180,557 births recorded for the name Nora in the United States since 1880. This demonstrates the enduring popularity and appeal of this classic name across generations.