Endearing Middle Names for Nora or Norah (2023)
Following the trendy revival of old fashioned names, a renewed interest in the name Nora began in the early 2000s. This sweet girl’s name has found her way back into the heart of parents and it’s easy to see why.
If you’re considering the name Nora for your daughter, we’ve gathered the best middle names for Nora below.
Meaning of the Name Nora or Norah
Nora is derived from the name Honora, which is a variant of Honoria. It was brought to England and Ireland from the Normans as a feminine form of the Late Latin name Honorius. It means “honour.”
Origin | Latin |
Pronunciation | nohr-ah |
Best Middle Names for Nora or Norah
Whether you’re searching for an old fashioned name or something more unique, we’ve gathered some of our favorite middle name options here.
- Nora Abigail
- Nora Addison
- Nora Adriana
- Nora Alexandra
- Nora Annalise
- Nora Arabella
- Nora Aspen
- Nora Astrid
- Nora Belle
- Nora Blair
- Nora Blake
- Nora Braelynn
- Nora Brinley
- Nora Camille
- Nora Cecilia
- Nora Celine
- Nora Claire
- Nora Colette
- Nora Cordelia
- Nora Danielle
- Nora Delaney
- Nora Delilah
- Nora Dior
- Nora Eleanor
- Nora Elise
- Nora Eliza
- Nora Elizabeth
- Nora Eloise
- Nora Emerson
- Nora Everly
- Nora Faith
- Nora Fiona
- Nora Gabrielle
- Nora Genesis
- Nora Giselle
- Nora Gracelynn
- Nora Hadley
- Nora Harlow
- Nora Harper
- Nora Hazel
- Nora Iris
- Nora Isabelle
- Nora Jade
- Nora Jane
- Nora Jocelyn
- Nora Josephine
- Nora Juliet
- Nora Kaitlyn
- Nora Kaylee
- Nora Kennedy
- Nora Kinsley
- Nora Lainey
- Nora Leighton
- Nora Leilani
- Nora Lexi
- Nora Lilith
- Nora Luciana
- Nora Lucille
- Nora Mackenzie
- Nora Maddison
- Nora Maeve
- Nora Maisie
- Nora Marlee
- Nora Michelle
- Nora Monroe
- Nora Nicole
- Nora Noelle
- Nora Oaklynn
- Nora Olive
- Nora Paige
- Nora Paisley
- Nora Payton
- Nora Penelope
- Nora Phoebe
- Nora Piper
- Nora Poppy
- Nora Quinn
- Nora Raegan
- Nora Reign
- Nora Rosalie
- Nora Ruby
- Nora Sage
- Nora Savannah
- Nora Sawyer
- Nora Scarlet
- Nora Serenity
- Nora Skye
- Nora Sloan
- Nora Sophie
- Nora Summer
- Nora Sydney
- Nora Tabitha
- Nora Taylor
- Nora Teagan
- Nora Trinity
- Nora Valerie
- Nora Violet
- Nora Willow
- Nora Wren
- Nora Zoey
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How To Pick a Middle Name
Do You Need A Middle Name?
In short, no. You do not need to give your child a middle name. You can choose to only give your child a first name and last name. There are no laws or requirements in regard to middle names.
However, according to research in the European Journal of Social Psychology, using middle initials in your name increases people’s perception of your intelligence.
Providing your child with a middle name will help differentiate them from others who share their same name. It also gives them a second option. Some children choose to go by their middle names instead of their first names as they grow older.
We all know how important it is to find the perfect name for our children. But did you know that in some cultures, middle names can be used as a way to give your child an additional identity? A new connection with their family history or heritage.
Here we will explore the things you should consider when giving your children a middle name!
Family Names
A child’s middle name is a great way to honor a beloved family member. It could be someone who has passed or a living family member who means a lot to the parents. Middle names don’t need to be gender-specific, so this could be a good place to include male or female family members.
Some parents like to include family surnames, such as the mother’s maiden name, as a middle name. This allows both sides of the family to pass down their name to the child. Any name that is meaningful to the family can make a nice middle name.
Flow and Initials
Probably the most important thing parents think of when choosing their child’s name is how it all sounds together. The first, middle, and last name should flow nicely together.
Many popular middle names are short, one or two syllable names because they pair well with most first names.
If family members speak another language or have an accent, take into consideration how everyone will be pronouncing the names when determining how they fit together
Monograms are popular in Southern culture, but it is still helpful to consider your child’s initials regardless of where you live.
Monograms for women are typically in the order of first name initial, large last name initial, and then middle name initial.
For men, the initials are usually in order of first, middle, and then last name. Avoid spelling out unfortunate words with the initials.
Middle names and their initials can also be used for nicknames. For example, Mary Elizabeth can be shortened to Mary Beth. Or, Elizabeth Zoe can be shortened to the initials E. Z. As a nickname.
If you just can’t narrow it down to a first name and a middle name, you can always include multiple middle names. In the United States, most people only have one middle name, but it is common around the world to have two or more.
It is recommended not to add too many middle names though. Most paperwork only leaves a spot for a single middle name or initial and multiple names can lead to confusion.
Special Meanings
A child’s middle name is a great way to pay homage to anything that holds special meaning to the parents. Some inspiration for names includes:
- Influential people in your life
- Characters from books, movies, or television
- Locations that hold memories
- Languages that are important to the family
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First Name for Middle Name Nora or Norah
If you’re considering Nora as a middle name, we’ve put together a list of some great first name ideas here.
- Aaliyah Nora
- Adeline Nora
- Ainsley Nora
- Avery Nora
- Beatrice Nora
- Bethany Nora
- Bridget Nora
- Brianna Nora
- Brooklynn Nora
- Callie Nora
- Camilla Nora
- Cassidy Nora
- Charlotte Nora
- Dahlia Nora
- Daisy Nora
- Delaney Nora
- Destiny Nora
- Edith Nora
- Elaina Nora
- Elizabeth Nora
- Elsie Nora
- Ember Nora
- Evelyn Nora
- Francesca Nora
- Freya Nora
- Gabriella Nora
- Genevieve Nora
- Gianna Nora
- Gwendolyn Nora
- Haisley Nora
- Harmony Nora
- Hannah Nora
- Hazel Nora
- Isabella Nora
- Isla Nora
- Ivy Nora
- Jacqueline Nora
- Jasmine Nora
- Juliana Nora
- Kennedy Nora
- Kylie Nora
- Leah Nora
- Leighton Nora
- Liliana Nora
- Lily Nora
- Londyn Nora
- Lucille Nora
- Lydia Nora
- Mackenzie Nora
- Maddison Nora
- Magnolia Nora
- Margaret Nora
- Matilda Nora
- Melody Nora
- Naomi Nora
- Natalia Nora
- Nevaeh Nora
- Olivia Nora
- Ophelia Nora
- Paisley Nora
- Parker Nora
- Phoenix Nora
- Piper Nora
- Rachel Nora
- Raelynn Nora
- Regina Nora
- Rosemary Nora
- Ruby Nora
- Sadie Nora
- Samantha Nora
- Saylor Nora
- Skylar Nora
- Sophia Nora
- Stella Nora
- Theresa Nora
- Tiffany Nora
- Vivienne Nora
- Whitney Nora
Nicknames for Nora
- No-No
- Nonie
- Nor
- Nori
- Nory
- Rah
Variations of Nora
- Noor, Noortje (Dutch)
- Lenora, Lenore, Leanora, Norah (English)
- Nóra, Norah (Irish)
- Leonora (Italian)
- Honoria (Late Roman)
- Leonor (Spanish)
Names Similar to Nora
- Adelaide
- Alice
- Amelia
- Anna
- Aria
- Audrey
- Bridget
- Brianna
- Charlotte
- Claire
- Clara
- Cora
- Della
- Dora
- Eleanor
- Eliza
- Eloise
- Evelyn
- Fiona
- Florence
- Gemma
- Grace
- Hannah
- Hazel
- Iris
- Ivy
- Jade
- Jane
- Kathleen
- Kiera
- Lenora
- Lucy
- Maeve
- Margaret
- Mary
- Natalia
- Nevaeh
- Nina
- Nova
- Olivia
- Pippa
- Rory
- Ruby
- Sarah
- Stella
- Tessa
- Vera
- Violet
- Willa
Sibling Boy Names that go with Nora
- Nora and Abel
- Nora and Asher
- Nora and Austin
- Nora and Beau
- Nora and Briggs
- Nora and Brian
- Nora and Caleb
- Nora and Christian
- Nora and Colton
- Nora and Cooper
- Nora and Dean
- Nora and Declan
- Nora and Dexter
- Nora and Dylan
- Nora and Elias
- Nora and Ethan
- Nora and Ezra
- Nora and Ford
- Nora and Gavin
- Nora and Griffin
- Nora and Heath
- Nora and Hudson
- Nora and Ivan
- Nora and Jace
- Nora and Jackson
- Nora and Jeremiah
- Nora and Kayden
- Nora and Keegan
- Nora and Leon
- Nora and Lincoln
- Nora and Luke
- Nora and Mason
- Nora and Miles
- Nora and Noah
- Nora and Oliver
- Nora and Oscar
- Nora and Parker
- Nora and Peter
- Nora and Rhett
- Nora and Ryder
- Nora and Silas
- Nora and Stephen
- Nora and Tobias
- Nora and Trent
- Nora and Wyatt
Sibling Girl Names that go with Nora
- Nora and Abigail
- Nora and Anna
- Nora and Blaire
- Nora and Brielle
- Nora and Camilla
- Nora and Cecilia
- Nora and Charlotte
- Nora and Cynthia
- Nora and Dahlia
- Nora and Darleen
- Nora and Edith
- Nora and Eleanor
- Nora and Eliza
- Nora and Eloise
- Nora and Faith
- Nora and Gemma
- Nora and Hannah
- Nora and Harper
- Nora and Hazel
- Nora and Iris
- Nora and Jacqueline
- Nora and Julia
- Nora and Kinsley
- Nora and Lilian
- Nora and Lucille
- Nora and Luna
- Nora and Mabel
- Nora and Margaret
- Nora and Mia
- Nora and Noelle
- Nora and Olivia
- Nora and Paige
- Nora and Penelope
- Nora and Piper
- Nora and Poppy
- Nora and Quinn
- Nora and Remi
- Nora and Riley
- Nora and Sage
- Nora and Sarah
- Nora and Skylar
- Nora and Stella
- Nora and Tabitha
- Nora and Tessa
- Nora and Willow
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History of the Name Nora or Norah
The French form Honoré was first introduced to the Irish by the Anglo-Normans after the Norman Invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. The Irish quickly adopted it as a “virtue” name in the variant forms of Onora, Nora, and Noreen.
Nora has been a given name in Ireland since the medieval times. The name began to spread beyond Ireland’s borders during large scale Irish migration in the 19th century.
According to the Social Security Administration, Nora has been on the popular baby naming charts since the government first started keeping track in the late 19th century. It was a top 100 girl’s name until 1906 when it started to slowly decline on the charts.
The year 2000 was the lowest year in the 502nd position before a renewed interest in the name began in 2001. It quickly climbed up to a top 100 girl’s name again in 2013. There is some speculation that interest in the name began again in 2003 when Hurricane Nora hit Mexico.
As of 2021, Nora ranks as the 27th most popular girl’s name in the United States.
Norah was briefly on the popular naming charts in 1900 and 1902 before falling off the charts. It reappeared on the charts in 2003 and has quickly climbed up the charts. As of 2021, Norah ranks as the 160th most popular girl’s name in America.
Nora is also sometimes used as a pet name or nickname for Eleanor.
Famous People with the Name Nora or Norah
Princess Nora of Liechtenstein | Liechtenstein princess |
Nora Arnezeder | French actress and singer |
Nora Aunor | Filipina actress |
Nora Kirkpatrick | American actress and writer of the Amazon series Daisy Jones & The Six |
Nora Lum | known as Awkwafina, American actress in the films Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Ocean’s 8, and Jumanji: The Next Level |
Nora Miao | Hong Kong actress appearing in many kung fu films opposite Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan |
Nora Nicholson | British actress who played in classics by Shakespeare and Chekhov |
Nora Zehetner | American actress in the film American Pie 2 and television series Heroes and Grey’s Anatomy |
Norah Jones | American singer who has won nine Grammy Awards |
Norah O’Donnell | American television journalist |
Fictional Characters Named Nora or Norah
Nora | a character in the film Pete’s Dragon |
Nora Bing | a character in the television series Friends |
Nora Charles | a character in the novel The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett |
Nora Hanen | a character on the soap opera One Life to Live |
Nora Helmer | a character in the play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen |
Nora Lewin | a character on the television series Law & Order |
Nora Walker | a character in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why |
Nora Baker | a character in the film Cheaper by the Dozen |
Nora Gainesborough | a character on the television series True Blood |
Norah O’More | a character in Won by the Sword by G.A. Henty |
Norah Silverberg | a character in the film Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist |
Norah Stoakes | a character in The Sky is Falling by Kit Pearson |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nora a biblical name?
No, Nora is not a name that is found in the bible and does not have any biblical connections. It is derived from the Late Latin name Honorius, meaning “honour.”
Is Nora or Norah more popular?
The spelling version Nora has always been more popular than Norah. Nora has maintained a spot on the popular baby naming charts since the late 19th century. Norah appeared on the charts only in 1900 and 1902 before disappearing on the charts and reappearing in 2003. While Nora has held a top 50 girl’s name position since 2014, Norah’s best year thus far was in 2017 in the 136th position.
What is a nickname for Nora?
Some common nicknames for Nora include No-No, Nonie, Nor, Nori, Nory, and Rah
Final Thoughts on Middle Names for Nora or Norah
Nora is experiencing a tremendous comeback from the late 19th century along with other old fashioned names. Parents continue to gravitate towards Nora and Norah as a top pick for their baby girl.
If you’re considering the name Nora, we hope our list of middle name ideas has been helpful!
MORE MIDDLE NAME IDEAS
Now that you’ve seen all the middle name ideas for Nora, you might want to check out some middle name ideas for these similar names!
- Middle Names for Amelia
- Middle Names for Eleanor
- Middle Names for Hazel
- Middle Names for Nova
- Middle Names for Violet
If you’re looking for more middle name ideas, you can find all our lists in our Middle Names section.
For more baby name ideas and inspiration head over to our Baby Names section.
Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!