NOAH (1)
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: NO-ə (English) [key]
Derived from the Hebrew name נוֹחַ (Noach) meaning "rest, comfort". In the Old Testament Noah was the builder of the ark which allowed him, his family, and animals of each species to survive the great Flood. After the Flood he received the sign of the rainbow as a covenant from God. As an English Christian name, Noah has been used since the Protestant Reformation, being common among the Puritans.
The Social Security List, lists Noah at the number 15 spot for 2008. Noah first appeared on the SS list at the number 130 spot in 1880, but fell into a decline in the years following. By 1893 Noah was at the number 205 spot. In the 1950's Noah was in the height of its disfavor in the 600's, but after 1968 Noah quickly went from the number 574 spot to the number 180 spot by 1981. Noah made it into the top 100 by 1995 at the number 100 spot and by 1996 jumped 50 spots up to the number 50 spot, the next (1997) at number 38. By 2000 Noah was the number 27 spot and by 2008 now rests nicely at the number 15 spot.
I personally predict Noah to gain in popularity for another year or two before settling into a top running place for a while. I do not particularly care for this name, simple due to the fact that it is very much over used. It's a new "fad" name...one that will fade out sooner than later. As one can tell from it's sporadic history, Noah has always been a bit faddish; jumping in favor for a couple years then dramatically falling out of favor.
I do find Noah extremely masculine and old world sounding. A traditional name, I think it suits many different cultures well. I can see this name in middle America as well as the UK and see it fitting each child carrying this name very well.
I do not like the more modern trend of some parents naming their daughters Noah and Noa. Any way you slice it, it looks extremely masculine and down right cruel to name a baby girl Noah/Noa. Nora/Norah is a perfectly wonderful feminine alternative and I do not see the need for the "fad" use of Noah/Noa on a girl. dropping H's doesn't make things feminine....Mica(h), Jona(h), Noa(h), etc. It's just odd; in my humble opinion, to do that to a little girl.
The accepted feminine alternative for Noah/Noa would be No'ah.
NO'AH
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Biblical Hebrew
Other Scripts: נוֹעָה (Ancient Hebrew)
Hebrew form of NOAH (2)
Derived from the Hebrew name נוֹעָה (No'ah) meaning "motion". In the Old Testament this was the name of a daughter of Zelophehad.
Still for me, Noah/Noa or No'ah on a girl is just tacky.
Middles/firsts for Noah are vast. Noah seems to fit with a wide variety of names from classic to trendy. Here are a few that I find pleasing to the ears and eyes:
Noah Blaine
Noah Thomas
Noah Wyatt
Noah Parker
Noah Sean
Noah Kevin
Noah Gavin
Noah Kyle
Marcus Noah
Bradley Noah
Austen Noah
James Noah
Oliver Noah
Brody Noah
Dylan Noah
William Noah
Justin Noah
Jonathan Noah
There are many possibilities for a first/middle name for Noah. Noah seems to be a well rounded name in sound to fit just about any name big or small (2 syllable to 4 syllable).
Alternatives for Noah might include the following:
Nolan
Noam
Norton
Norwood
Noel
Noble
Norman
Norris
I think Nolan, Noel, Noble and Norris would be fabulous alternatives to the super popular and on the rise, Noah. Nolan has a bit of a "good 'ol boy" feel to it, which I liken to baseball legend Nolan Ryan. Noel is a great masculine name (said no-wul). A fabulous pick for a December baby. Noble is a virtue name that truly speaks of masculinity to me...seldom do virtue names appear masculine but Noble (and Valor) do. I think Noble might be a cute middle as well. Norris is a great well rounded name in the family of "surname turned given name" category. Such a category I am fully open to and embrace even, considering such names as Connor, Brandon, Whitney and Lesley are also common surnames turned given names. Norris reminds me a bit of Harris which I find a bit lacking, preferring Harrison. Norris however has a nice round feel to it, nothing is lacking, nothing is flat. I can definitely picture a little boy with big brown eyes named Norris (nicknamed Norr- *said noor*). For public opinion on the name Noah, please visit the link to the question in Yahoo!Answers where I asked about the name:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091202111414AACdG2u
Overall I find Noah common, over used and a bit predictable. I do find Noah to be extremely masculine however and I'm not totally opposed to the name if it were to be used as a middle. I do not like the "masculine boy name stealing for girls trend name" crowd, and actually find it quite a bit more annoying that usual for this particular name. I tend to prefer the alternatives for Noah as a given name rather than Noah itself, but I can (and do) appreciate the masculinity and history behind this well used name.
J. Kristen
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