Noa Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NOH-ah //ˈnoʊ.ə//
Origin: Hebrew; Japanese
Meaning: Hebrew: movement; Japanese: my love
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Noa has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "נח" (noach), meaning "rest" or "comfort." In Hebrew, Noa (נֹעָה) is a feminine form of the name Noah, which appears in the biblical narrative as a significant figure associated with the Great Flood. The name Noa is found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Numbers, where Noa is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who successfully petitioned for their right to inherit their father's estate, thereby influencing laws regarding inheritance in ancient Israel.
This biblical account, dating back to the 13th century BCE, highlights the name's historical significance in discussions of gender and property rights in ancient societies. The name Noa transitioned into other languages through various translations of the Bible.
It was adopted into Greek as "Noa," and later into Latin, maintaining its original form. The name entered English usage primarily through biblical translations, notably the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped to popularize many Hebrew names in the English-speaking world.
The enduring legacy of Noa can be attributed to its biblical roots and the cultural narratives surrounding the daughters of Zelophehad, which resonate with themes of justice and equality. Culturally, Noa symbolizes strength and resilience, particularly in the context of women's rights and inheritance.
The name has been embraced in various cultures, often associated with positive attributes such as comfort and rest, which are reflected in its etymological meaning. In some traditions, diminutive forms such as Noami have emerged, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry.
Overall, Noa's historical and cultural significance has contributed to its lasting presence in various societies.
Famous people named Noa
In this section, you will find notable people named Noa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Noa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Noa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Noa is a singer-songwriter best known for her songs such as 'Beautiful That Way', 'Time', and 'Isle of Dreams'.
Noa Pothoven is a Dutch author best known for her memoir 'Winning or Learning'.
Noa Kirel is an Israeli singer and actress best known for her songs 'Million Dollar' and 'Bad Little Things'.
Noa Tishby is an actress and producer best known for her role in 'In Treatment' and for producing 'Israel's Next Top Model'.
Noa Lang is a professional dancer best known for her performances in various dance competitions.
Fictional characters named Noa
The following list of fictional characters named Noa is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Noa is a fictional character from the manga and anime series No. 6. They are a key figure in the story, representing the struggle against a dystopian society and forming a deep bond with the protagonist.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Noa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Noa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Noa was first seen in the United States in 1970.
Noa has ranked as high as #473 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Noa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Noa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Noa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Noa (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 151 | |
| NY | 135 | |
| TX | 111 | |
| FL | 82 | |
| NJ | 49 | |
| NC | 48 | |
| OH | 42 | |
| GA | 42 | |
| PA | 36 | |
| IL | 34 | |
| CO | 31 | |
| TN | 31 | |
| WA | 27 | |
| UT | 26 | |
| IN | 24 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Noa.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,259 |
| 2023 | 1,045 |
| 2022 | 1,069 |
| 2021 | 1,001 |
| 2020 | 664 |
| 2019 | 539 |
| 2018 | 450 |
| 2017 | 392 |
| 2016 | 392 |
| 2015 | 370 |
| 2014 | 289 |
| 2013 | 248 |
| 2012 | 241 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2010 | 222 |
| 2009 | 223 |
| 2008 | 199 |
| 2007 | 196 |
| 2006 | 190 |
| 2005 | 142 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2003 | 144 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2001 | 101 |
| 2000 | 114 |
| 1999 | 90 |
| 1998 | 76 |
| 1997 | 71 |
| 1996 | 82 |
| 1995 | 27 |
| 1994 | 15 |
| 1993 | 12 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 12 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1970 | 7 |