Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Noah

The origin of the name Noah is not completely certain. Most etymologists believe the name is derived from the Hebrew “Noach” (נוֹחַ) which means “rest” or “comfort.” When you think about it, this meaning seems to be supported by the Bible (Genesis 5:29). As Noah’s own father says: "this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands." As we all know, Noah is a significant and central character in the Book of Genesis, selected by God Himself as a good and righteous man who alone with his family and all species of animals two-by-two are spared from extinction in the Great Flood. As instructed by Yahweh, Noah built a great Ark which carried them all to safety. Afterwards, as a sign of His covenant, the Lord placed a rainbow in the sky; and a dove brought Noah an olive branch as a symbol of impending peace. According to the Bible, all Homo sapiens are descended from Noah’s children. Always popular among Jewish people, the name Noah was eventually adopted by the Puritans and other religious dissenters after the Protestant Reformation. Noah is now a name enjoyed universally among Jews and Christians alike (as well as people without religious affiliations). Today Noah is a massively popular baby boy’s name throughout the Western World. It’s #1 in Belgium, #2 in Denmark, #5 in the United States, #7 in Australia, #9 in Norway and Canada, #11 in Northern Ireland, #15 in France and #18 in England. It’s also a Top 40 choice among people of the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, Sweden and Scotland.

All About the Baby Name – Noah

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME NOAH

The Number 2 personality in numerology is all about cooperation and balance. It's the number of diplomats and mediators. They are not leaders, but strive rather for harmony in partnerships. These are the peacemakers. Equality and fairness are important in their dealings, and they are willing to share power and responsibility to achieve a harmonious outcome. This personality is calm and patient, waiting for things to evolve instead of pushing aggressively for an outcome. They are good-natured and easy-going, and care deeply on an emotional and spiritual plane. Twos appreciate beauty and nature and are intent on making the world a better place.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME NOAH

Although the name has remained uninterrupted on the American male naming charts for well over a century, Noah has enjoyed a particular revival starting in the mid-1990's on up through today. In 1970, Noah was barely ranked in the top 500 most popular male first names in America. Today, that ranking has shot up to the Top 10. Especially in the past decade, Noah has become ultra-trendy and extremely popular. Part of the name's attraction lies in its optimistic Biblical roots, but it also has an unmistakable sweet, boyish charm. Adding to the name’s appeal is the fact that it's essentially nickname-proof.

Quick Facts

ON NOAH

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English, Hebrew

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

1

PRONUNCIATION:

NO-ә

SIMPLE MEANING:

Rest, comfort, peace-maker

Characteristics

OF NOAH

Cooperative

Considerate

Compassionate

Nurturing

Sensitive

Patient

Loving

Kind

Gracious

Balanced

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Noah

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME NOAH

Clearly, the most notable and recognized Noah is from the Book of Genesis 6-9. In the Genesis account, Noah saves his family and representatives of all animals in groups of two or seven from the flood. While the Great Deluge and Noah's Ark are the best-known elements of the Noah tradition, Noah is also mentioned in Genesis as the "first husbandman" and possibly the inventor of wine. The account of Noah is the subject of much elaboration and has been immensely influential in Western culture. Noah was the son of Lamech who named him Noah because he would bring rest from toil on the land which God had cursed (a reference to the curse God placed on the earth following Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden). In his five hundredth year Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. When Noah was six hundred years old, God, saddened at the wickedness of mankind, decided to send a Great Flood to destroy all life. But he saw that Noah was a righteous man, and so He instructed him to build an ark and gather himself and his family with every type of animal, male and female. "Be fruitful and multiply, bring forth abundantly on the earth and multiply in it." And as a sign of his covenant, he set the rainbow in the sky.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME NOAH

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Noah


Popular Songs

ON NOAH

Noah's Journey
by Aaron Zigman from "The Notebook" movie soundtrack

Noah's Dove
A song by 10,000 Maniacs

Noah
Also a song by Harry Belafonte

Just Like Noah's Ark
A song by Elton John

Famous People

NAMED NOAH

Noah Webster (American lexicographer)
Noah Wyle (actor)

Children of Famous People

NAMED NOAH

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green; Octomom;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME NOAH

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Noah