The Origin and Meaning of the Name Noah

Four letters that hold a beautiful name with a great story behind it. Do you know anyone with the name Noah? Don't miss these facts.

Reviewed and approved by the pediatrician Marcela Alejandra Caffulli.

Written by Maria del Mar Garcia Martin

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Whether you’re thinking about this name for the next king of the house or because you know someone very special to you who carries this title, you’ll love to know what’s hidden behind the name Noah.

That’s why we want to tell you about its origin, its meaning, and other useful information, such as its saints and how popular this wonderful option is nowadays. From You Are Mom, we invite you to keep reading to find out all these interesting facts.

What’s the origin and meaning of the name Noah?

Noah is a proper name that, from the beginning, was attributed only to males. Its origin is Hebrew and comes from the same term Noah, which represents rest, peace, and comfort. But also, it alludes to one who needs “to be comforted by another”, so the person so named is usually empathetic and has a special sensitivity.

The name Noah is a fairly traditional choice, as it refers to the protagonist of one of the most emblematic passages of the Old Testament. Noah, son of Lamech (descendant of Seth, of the ninth generation of biblical patriarchs), was chosen to build an ark that will save humanity. In it, he traveled with his family and a pair of each animal species to survive the universal flood.

“The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.”

-Genesis 7:1, The Bible-

The history of the name Noah

As mentioned earlier, the character that gives life to the name Noah is of biblical provenance. However, it’s worth mentioning that Noah may also be a figure from the Mesopotamian tradition: Ziusudra (Sumerian), Atrahasis (Akkadian), and Utnapištim (Babylonian).

Along these same lines, a study published in 2020 by the University of Granada reveals and analyzes the assimilation of the Arab world with respect to the passage of Noah’s Ark. Even how the Muslim tradition influenced some points that changed the original story.

Just the same, the most important thing is the meeting point of all these hypotheses, as Noah is considered by the Abrahamic religions as the father of humanity, through his three sons. Therefore, the celebration of Noah’s saint corresponds to November 10 by the Christian tradition. If you know someone with this name or you want him to be your little one’s guardian angel, make a note of this date on your calendar.

Variants of Noah in other languages and famous people with this name

This option has variants in Arabic, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, but the most recognized nowadays are the English (Noah) and Spanish (Noé) adaptations. In fact, in 2020, Noah was the second most popular baby name among boys.

In fact, nowadays there are world celebrities belonging to the fields of art, cinema, and sport who enjoy the privilege of being called Noah. Some examples include the following:

• Noah Wyle: Famous American Actor
• Noah Reid: Famous Canadian actor and musician
• Noah Cyrus: American singer and actress, the youngest sister of Miley Cyrus.

Noah, a name that describes a formidable person

You should also know that, nowadays, Noah is also a name that many women carry. In this regard, we can highlight Noah Cyrus (the American indie singer we mentioned above) and Noe Ito (Japanese feminist writer of the 1920s). For this reason, today it’s considered a unisex option that can make any parent who’s looking for tradition and modernity in the same option fall in love.

Undoubtedly, it’s a very special name. That’s why everyone who carries it should feel proud of it.