Baby Name of the Day: Noa

The baby name Noa blends Old Testament roots with a very 21st century sensibility.

Thanks to Katharine for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME NOA MEAN?

Noah-with-an-H stars in one of the best-known Old Testament tales.

He and his family gathered the animals two by two and weathered the Biblical deluge. After the Great Flood receded, they re-populated the known world.

Puritan parents loved the story, and used his name for their sons. Modern parents are fans, too, and Noah became the #1 name in the United States from 2013 to 2016. It’s still the #2 name, as of 2024.

At first glance, the streamlined Noa looks like a simplified form of the original. 

Not so. Instead, it’s a similar sounding name, consistently used for females.

The popular Biblical male name Noah means rest or repose. But the less-well-known female name Noa? It comes from the Hebrew no’a, meaning motion.

In Hebrew, the ‘h’ is pronounced, making the names more distinct. But in English? They’re potentially interchangeable. 

OLD TESTAMENT NAME

In a lesser-known Old Testament tale, Noa in one of the five daughters of Zelophehad.

Noa and her sisters inherited Zelophehad’s property despite custom dictating that women could not inherit. The young women petitioned Moses and their community leaders to make their case – and won.

It’s an interesting story, and one much-discussed amongst Biblical scholars.

INTERNATIONAL NAME

While the Hebrew roots of this girl’s name seem most familiar in an American context, it’s not the only potential Noa origin story.

In Japan, the meaning of Noa can be “love,” based on the kanji used to write the name.

Some sites list an Arabic origin. The Old Testament Noah is considered a prophet in Islam, so it’s reasonable to expect to hear Noah – or Nuh – in the Arabic and Islamic worlds.

However, there’s apparently an Arabic word nowa, which means nucleus – or, perhaps more broadly, center. It seems like a stretch.

It’s also sometimes listed as Hawaiian, though it does not appear to be a given name, but a word meaning commoner.

Regardless of other possible origins for Noa, it’s caught on across Europe, including:

• It’s a Top 100 boys’ name in Bosnia & Herzegovina, as well as Croatia. 
• While it’s more popular for boys in France, it’s also used in steady numbers for girls. The same is true in Belgium. 
• In Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, Noa is much for common for girls. 
• That’s also true for Israel, where Noa is a Top Ten favorite, and has even held the #1 spot for girls in recent years.

POP CULTURE

Characters by the name have appeared in Japanese animated series Fullmetal Alchemist, and the extended Star Wars universe – though the Star Wars character is male.

The most famous women are almost all Israeli – there’s a singer who has represented Israel in the EuroVision Song Contest, as well as actress Noa Tishby, who has guest starred on many a prime time drama in the US.

Singer Noah Cyrus is the younger sister of pop sensation Miley Cyrus – though she spells her name with an H. 

Fun fact for weather watchers: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – home of the National Weather Service, among other functions – is abbreviated NOAA, and commonly pronounced just like Noah/Noa.

That’s not quite enough to make the baby name Noa a household name. But it’s caught on nevertheless.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME NOA?

While Noah has been among the most popular names for years, the baby name Noa remained rare.

It debuted in the girls’ data in 1970. By the year 2000, over 100 girls a year received the name.

In 2014, the name Noa finally debuted in the US Top 1000.

What explains the increased popularity? 

A few factors: 

• As Noah became a chart-topping sensation, it led to the discovery of Noa, too. 
• Parents have long-loved names like Charlie, Alex, and Sam for their daughters. Noa added one more unisex possibility into the mix.
• Lastly, mini names hit it big in the 21st century, with Mia and Ava soaring into the US Top Ten by 2009. In their company, Noa sounds like an obvious choice for a little girl.

The combination of factors led to a slow, steady increase in the name’s use.

As of 2024, the baby name Noa reached an all-time high of #243. 

Worth noting: Noah also ranks #561 for girls, and Noa comes in at #985 as a boys name.

HIGH ENERGY MINI NAME

The baby name Noa blends bright, upbeat energy and a short, familiar sound. 

It fits with baby girl names like Lola, Nora, and Nova but laso offers something slightly different. 

With a global pedigree and a strong meaning, Noa could be the perfect name for parents after a stands-out, fits-in choice with unisex appeal.

What do you think of the baby name Noa?

This post was originally published on September 20, 2008. It was substantially revised and re-posted on March 24, 2016; January 3, 2022; and April 8, 2026.