Everything about the name NORA

Meaning, origin, history

Nora is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "norax," which means "light." The name Nora has been popular in various forms throughout history and across different cultures.

In Scandinavian countries, Nora is often associated with the Norse goddess of fate and destiny, Norns. In Irish culture, it is connected to the name Honora, which means "honor" or "esteem."

The name Nora gained significant popularity in the late 19th century after the publication of Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House." The protagonist of the play, Nora Helmer, became a symbol of female empowerment and independence. This portrayal contributed to the name's widespread usage.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nora. These include Norwegian actress Nora Brockstedt, American singer-songwriter Nora Jones, and Irish writer Nora Barnacle, who was the wife of renowned author James Joyce.

Today, Nora continues to be a popular given name for girls worldwide. Its simple yet elegant sound makes it appealing to parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name for their child. The meaning "light" also adds a positive and uplifting association to the name.

Popularity of the name NORA since 1880

Birth evolution

Popularity analysis

Based on the statistical data provided, we can observe the trends of the name Nora over time in the United States.

From 1880 to around 1945, the number of births with the name Nora fluctuated significantly. The lowest recorded year was 1880 with only 5 births, while the highest was 17 births in 1920. However, during this period, the average number of births per year was relatively low, indicating that Nora was not a particularly popular name during this time.

There was a gap in data from 1946 to 1980. When records resumed in 1980, we see a consistent but low frequency of the name Nora. The highest number of births recorded after 1980 was 10 in 1989, with most years seeing around 5-10 births.

In recent years, from 2003 to 2020, there has been a slight increase in the popularity of the name Nora. The highest number of births recorded during this period was 7 births in both 2014 and 2018. However, the total number of births with the name Nora over these years is still relatively low compared to other popular names.

In conclusion, while Nora has not been a highly popular name throughout history in the United States, it has maintained a consistent presence since records began in 1880. There have been periods where its popularity has risen slightly, such as around the early 20th century and more recently from 2003 onwards. However, Nora remains a relatively uncommon name overall, with only 778 recorded births across all the available data provided.