Noa Unisex

Popularity: #216 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

MayaLilaZoeEllaNinaTalia

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.

NoraMoaSoraLunaCoraRheaMinaKira

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Noa was first seen in the United States in 1970.

Noa has ranked as high as #434 nationally, which occurred in 2025, 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,573 225 1,348
2024 1,496 230 1,266
2023 1,197 151 1,046
2022 1,212 141 1,071
2021 1,099 98 1,001
2020 725 61 664
2019 619 80 539
2018 515 65 450
2017 444 52 392
2016 461 69 392
2015 433 63 370
2014 352 63 289
2013 318 70 248
2012 309 68 241
2011 318 83 235
2010 282 60 222
2009 298 75 223
2008 290 91 199
2007 273 77 196
2006 275 85 190
2005 202 60 142
2004 178 62 116
2003 190 46 144
2002 172 54 118
2001 152 51 101
2000 186 72 114
1999 129 39 90
1998 106 30 76
1997 89 18 71
1996 97 15 82
1995 40 13 27
1994 23 8 15
1993 12 0 12
1992 17 0 17
1991 15 8 7
1990 14 0 14
1989 7 0 7
1988 9 0 9
1987 12 0 12
1986 14 6 8
1985 12 5 7
1984 9 0 9
1983 14 7 7
1982 15 10 5
1981 7 7 0
1980 12 6 6
1979 5 5 0
1978 10 5 5
1977 5 0 5
1970 7 0 7

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 193
14%
NY 148
10%
TX 141
10%
FL 99
7%
NJ 54
4%
NC 53
4%
GA 49
3%
OH 42
3%
IL 40
3%
PA 36
3%
TN 36
3%
MI 32
2%
UT 32
2%
CO 31
2%
AZ 30
2%
MA 29
2%
WA 27
2%
MD 24
2%
IN 24
2%
VA 24
2%
SC 23
2%
LA 21
1%
CT 20
1%
KY 17
1%
MN 16
1%
MO 15
1%
HI 15
1%
OR 14
1%
NV 13
1%
AL 11
1%
IA 11
1%
WI 11
1%
OK 11
1%
NE 9
1%
ND 8
1%
ID 8
1%
MT 8
1%
KS 7
0%
MS 7
0%
ME 6
0%
SD 6
0%
DC 6
0%
AR 5
0%
RI 5
0%
NM 5
0%