NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nouf

A feminine Arabic name meaning "lofty" or "precious".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nouf is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nouf popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 6 births.

This profile covers 29 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2000 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Nouf is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 29 living people in the UK are called Nouf. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nouf ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 6 girls were registered as Nouf.
  • About 29 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nouf as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2024

6 births

Estimated living

29

2026

Meaning

What does Nouf mean?

The name Nouf is of Arabic origin and has been used primarily in the Middle Eastern region. It derives from the Arabic word "nouf," meaning "soft, gentle, or tender." The earliest recorded instances of this name date back to the 7th century, during the Islamic Golden Age.

In Islamic tradition, the name Nouf is mentioned in several historical texts and records. It is believed that one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad, a woman named Nouf bint Al-Harith, bore this name. She was known for her generosity and kindness, traits that align with the meaning of her name.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who carried the name Nouf. One of the earliest recorded examples is Nouf bint Muhammad Al-Ansari (died 713 CE), a scholar and narrator of hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad). She was highly respected for her knowledge and contributions to the preservation of Islamic traditions.

Another prominent figure was Nouf bint Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (1858-1950), a member of the Saudi royal family and a respected philanthropist. She was known for her charitable efforts and support for educational initiatives in the Arabian Peninsula.

In the modern era, Nouf Al-Marwaai (born 1969) is a prominent Yemeni author and poet. Her works have been widely acclaimed and have contributed significantly to the literary landscape of the Middle East.

Nouf Al-Rakan (born 1973) is a Saudi Arabian entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of the Alf Khair Group, a conglomerate focused on healthcare, education, and social development initiatives in the region.

Nouf Al-Dosari (born 1985) is a Saudi Arabian artist and activist. Her work often explores themes of identity, gender, and social issues within the context of Saudi Arabian society.

It is important to note that while the name Nouf has its roots in Arabic culture and tradition, it has gained popularity and usage across various cultures and regions, transcending its original linguistic boundaries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nouf over time

The chart below shows babies named Nouf registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nouf, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nouf
02356200020122024

Decades

Nouf by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nouf was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3797 11 2
2010s #5045 15 4
2000s #3912 3 1

Related

Names similar to Nouf

FAQ

Nouf: questions and answers

How popular is the name Nouf in the UK right now?

In 2024, Nouf was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Nouf most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 6 babies registered as Nouf in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nouf?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "lofty" or "precious".

How many people are called Nouf in the UK?

A total of 29 babies have been registered as Nouf across the 7 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.