Published on
updated on
Reading 2 min.
Marie Lanen
Head of parenting sections (baby, pregnancy, family), psychology and beauty
This short and sweet name comes from the Arabic language and means “light.” It evokes brilliance, clarity, and purity, notions that resonate strongly in many cultures and spiritual traditions.
A simple first name can carry deep and universal meanings. Doctissimo reveals all the secrets of the first name Nour.
A “bright” first name
Derived from the Arabic “نور” (pronounced “noor”), Nour is a name that carries within it the idea of light in its broadest sense: not only that which illuminates physically, but also that which illuminates the mind and soul. In Arab and Muslim cultures, this name has a sacred dimension, because light is an important symbol in the Quran. For example, “Sourat An-Nour” (The Light) is one of the surahs of the holy book, where light is used as a metaphor for divine guidance.
The name Nour is given to both sexes in some cultures, but is more commonly given to girls in the Arab and Muslim world.
Popularity of the first name Nour
Nour’s influence is undoubtedly linked to that of Queen Noor of Jordan. This American, who married King Hussein in 1978, was able to win the hearts of the population through her sincere commitment to her new homeland. She distinguished herself with NGOs working in the refugee camps. She took part in numerous conferences on the Middle East, offering a vision of dialogue that was uncommon at the time.
Over the years, Nour has gained popularity in various regions of the world. In addition to Iran and North Africa, it has also conquered other horizons, notably in France and several European countries. According to the authors of the book L’Officiel des Prénoms (First Editions), this first name was confidential for a long time in France. It was in the masculine that Nour emerged in the 1950s, well before naming its first French girls in 1973. Until the end of the 1990s, the annual number of its attributions did not exceed fifty. Resolutely feminine, Nour emerged from the shadows and reached the symbolic milestone of 1,000 births in 2017. She seems to have acquired a taste for the spotlight and is now in the national top 40. The simplicity and universality of this first name make it a popular choice for parents looking for a name that is short, symbolic and easy to pronounce.
Nour, a promising future?
Nour certainly has a great career ahead of her. This name with its harmonious sounds is short, as is the trend. It also has the advantage of being pronounced the same way in Arabic and French. For the moment, it is overshadowing its little sisters, Noura and Nouria, who remain at the back of the class. Only Nora, who prides herself on a dual origin (“burst of sun” in Greek and “light” in Arabic) has managed to reach the gates of the top 100.
Nour is the 97th most popular female first name in France since 2000. This first name is given to almost one in 240 girls today.
For parents looking for a simple name, but with a deep meaning, Nour remains a good option, both modern and timeless. Its luminosity will undoubtedly continue to enlighten future generations.
Slideshow: Top 30 Muslim and Arabic first names for boys