Nur

An uncommon Arabic pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysArabicDeclining Also a pet name
#4728 1563in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A township in Qira, Hotan prefecture, Xinjiang autonomous region, China.

Nur is a girl's and boy's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic word nur, meaning 'light.' In the Quran, Al-Nur (The Light) is one of the names of God, and Surah An-Nur is an entire chapter dedicated to the concept of divine illumination.

Nur is one of the most widespread names across the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and Muslim communities globally — for both girls and boys. Its absolute simplicity — one syllable, infinite meaning — gives it a timeless quality. The concept of light in Islamic spirituality is foundational: God as light, knowledge as light, the Prophet described as a lantern. Nur is a name that carries all of that luminosity.

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Popularity Over Time

Nur climbed 2578 spots in the last 20 years — from #7306 to #4728.

01326395220002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Nur
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s178
2010s151
2000s134
1990s127
1980s23

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(38 years, 19862024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Nur
YearBirthsRank
202429#4728
202352#3165
202237#4017
202131#4479
202029#4624
201920#6125
201833#4320
201722#5777
201620#6353
201512#9344
201414#8379
20135#18557
20129#11985
20117#14444
20109#12006
200911#10475
200810#11384
200717#7653
200612#9745
200515#7806

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Nur as a Boy's Name

Though more common for girls, Nur has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 200 births since 1981.

#8753
Current rank
200
Total births
2017
Peak year
Compare Nur as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Nur be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Nur is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #4728. As a boy's name, it ranks #8753.

Nur has two lives

Nur, the baby name
#4728girls
613 babies
Currently viewing
Nur, the pet name
#21169pet name
2 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19862024) · Methodology