How to say it
NOR · ah
ˈnɔr.ə
Feminine
Norah
Honor, or light
What it means
An Irish form of Honora (Latin honor), also read as a short form of Eleanor. The -h spelling is the dressier twin of Nora.
Norah is the Irish Nóra, a short form of Honora (from Latin honor) that also gets used as a clip of Eleanor. It has been a steady Irish name for centuries and crossed into wide English use through literature, including Nora Helmer in Ibsen's A Doll's House. The -h ending got a lift from singer Norah Jones in the 2000s. Nora and Norah are the same name; the h just adds a little weight.
How to spell Norah
The standard spelling is Norah. Common variants include Nora, Noora, Honora, but Norah is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #137 in 2017, currently #262 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Nora and Norah are interchangeable; Nora is more common, Norah reads slightly more formal.
Who's worn it
- Norah Jones American singer-songwriter and pianist
- Nora Ephron American writer and director (When Harry Met Sally)
Spelling variants
- Nora
- Noora
- Honora
Names with the same feeling
See Norah from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Norah mean?
- An Irish form of Honora (Latin honor), also read as a short form of Eleanor. The -h spelling is the dressier twin of Nora.
- What does Norah mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Norah means "Honor, or light." Norah is the Irish Nóra, a short form of Honora (from Latin honor) that also gets used as a clip of Eleanor. It has been a steady Irish name for centuries and crossed into wide English use through literature, including Nora Helmer in Ibsen's A Doll's House. The -h ending got a lift from singer Norah Jones in the 2000s. Nora and Norah are the same name; the h just adds a little weight.
- Is Norah short for Honora?
- Yes. Norah is a short form of Honora, and it carries the same meaning, "Honor, or light." These days many parents use Norah as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Norah?
- Norah is pronounced ˈnɔr.ə. Say it as NOR-ah, with the stress on the "nor" syllable.
- How do you spell Norah?
- The standard spelling is Norah. Common spelling variants include Nora, Noora, Honora.
- Is Norah a boy or girl name?
- Norah is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Norah?
- Norah ranked #262 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.