Noran first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Noran has been for the last 32 years (from 1993 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Noran

A masculine Arabic name meaning "shining light" or "radiant".

Popularity of Noran by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Noran is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Noran.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 0 6
2018 0 7
2016 0 6
2014 0 5
2004 0 7
2001 0 6
1999 0 6
1993 0 5

The history of the first name Noran

The name Noran has its origins in the Gaelic and Celtic languages, with roots that can be traced back to ancient Ireland and Scotland. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "nor," which means "noble" or "distinguished," combined with the suffix "-an," a common ending for masculine names.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Noran can be found in the annals of Irish history, where it was borne by Noran mac Muireadhaigh, a prominent chieftain who lived in the 10th century. He was known for his bravery and leadership during the turbulent times of the Norse invasions in Ireland.

In the 12th century, a Scottish nobleman named Noran of Caithness was mentioned in the chronicles of the time. He was a influential figure in the northern regions of Scotland and played a role in the ongoing conflicts between the Scots and the Norsemen who had established settlements in the area.

During the medieval era, the name Noran was also found in various religious texts and manuscripts. One notable example is the Book of Kells, a renowned illuminated manuscript created by Celtic monks in the 8th or 9th century, which features intricate designs and calligraphy. The name Noran appears in some of the scribes' inscriptions within the manuscript.

In the 16th century, Noran O'Donnell was a prominent Irish chieftain and lord of Tirconnell, a region in Ulster. He was known for his efforts to resist the English conquest of Ireland and his support for the Irish rebellion against English rule.

Another historical figure bearing the name Noran was Noran Beaton, a Scottish prelate who lived in the 15th century. He served as the Bishop of Whithorn and was involved in various ecclesiastical affairs and political intrigues of the time.

Throughout history, the name Noran has been associated with a sense of nobility, strength, and leadership, reflecting its Celtic and Gaelic origins. While not as common as some other Irish or Scottish names, it has maintained a presence in these cultures and has been carried on by various individuals over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Noran was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Noran, please contact us.

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"Noran first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 3, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/noran-meaning-and-history/.

"Noran first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/noran-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 3 November, 2025

Noran first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/noran-meaning-and-history/.

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