2 of 41

Write now Article Tools

The masculine name Noah (pronounced NO-ah) is derived from the Hebrew name Noach (no-ACH) and its meaning is to rest or settle. Noah is used as a given name and, less commonly, as a surname. It is a popular name for Christians, Jews and Muslims (the Muslim versions of the masculine name are Nuhaid and Nuh.)

The name appears twice in the Old Testament, the first occurrence is in the book of Genesis in the story of Noah and the Ark. This is one of the most commonly known stories in the Bible and it tells of how Noah, his family and two of each animal on the Earth were saved from the Deluge (Great Flood) by living in a large vessel until the floods had cleared.

There is a second instance of the name in the book of Numbers. Although in English translations these two names are spelt the same this reference in Numbers, to one of the daughters of Zelophehad, is more accurately No'ah, the feminine version of the name. This feminine form means to means to tremble, shake or wander.

Whilst Islam reveres Noah as a prophet some Jewish thinkers have questioned his righteousness.

The name Noah was revived in popularity in the seventeenth century when the Puritans, who commonly gave biblical names to their children, came to the American colonies.

The popularity of this name decreased over the first half the twentieth century but underwent a marked increase during the seventies and then its popularity increased very rapidly over the course of the 1990s with a very steep rise in 1994. One reason for this increase in popularity could be attributed to the phenomenally successful series "ER", launched in 1994, in which one of the main characters was portrayed by an actor named Noah Wyle.

In 2006 Noah was the 15th most popular name for new born baby boys in the United States.
The name is also popular in Belgium and Australia.

Name sakes:

"Noah" is Australian slag for shark.

"Pro-Wrestling NOAH" is a Japanese promotion for professional wrestling.

The "Noah grape" is a grape used to make a variety of Uhudler wine.

"The Noah Plan" is a song by Peter Schilling.

"Noah" is the name of 1998 a US TV movie starring Tony Danza.

Noah Taylor was a fictional character portrayed by Bob Gunton in the ABC TV series "Desperate Housewives".

Noah Bennett is a fictional character portrayed by Dylan Fergus in the NBC daytime drama "passions".

Noah Drake is a fictional character portrayed by Rick Springfield in "General Hospital", popular ABC soap opera.

Acronyms:

N.O.A.H National office of Animal Health
N.O.A.H - National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
N.O.A.H - Northeast Oklahoma Association of Homeschools,
N.O.A.H Norfolk Online Access to Heritage
N.O.A.H National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Famous people named Noah:

Noah Strausser Speer Wyle (born June 4th, 1971), an American actor best know for his role in ER as Dr. John Carter.

Noah Palmer (born April 21st, 1983), an American soccer player who currently plays for Wake Forest University as a goalkeeper.

Noah Gordon (born November 11th, 1926), an American novelist. His most recent work was "The Bodega" (2007).

Noah Leslie Hathaway (born November 13th, 1971), an American actor whose roles have included "Atreyu" in "The Neverending Story" and "Boxey" in the original "Battlestar Galactica".

Noah Porter (born December 14th, 1811), an American educationalist and philosophical writer, born in Farmington, Connecticut.

Mordecai Manuel Noah (born July 14, 1785), an American playwright, diplomat, journalist and the first Jew born in the United States to reach national prominence.

Variant forms:

No, Noa, Nooa (Finnish), Noe (Spanish and Polish), Noe (umlaut over the e (French)), Norrie, Noach (Hebrew), and Noak (Swedish)

Learn more about this author, Stefanina Hill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Behind the name: Noah?
We want to hear your view. Write now!