NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Noureen

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "divine light" or "illuminated".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Noureen is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Noureen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 4 births.

This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2009 to 2022. 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.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Noureen. 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 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Noureen ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 4 girls were registered as Noureen.
  • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Noureen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5669

2022

Births in 2022

3

Latest year

Peak year

2011

4 births

Estimated living

24

2026

Meaning

What does Noureen mean?

Noureen is a feminine name with origins in the Persian language. It is derived from the Persian word "Noor," meaning "light" or "radiance." The name is believed to have originated in the region that encompasses modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia around the 7th century AD.

The name Noureen has its roots in the Islamic tradition, as the concept of "Noor" is frequently mentioned in the Quran and other Islamic texts, often in reference to divine guidance and enlightenment. The name is thought to have gained popularity among Muslim communities during the early centuries of Islamic civilization.

One of the earliest known recorded instances of the name Noureen can be found in the writings of the Persian poet and scholar, Ferdowsi, who lived from 940 to 1020 AD. In his epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh, a character named Noureen is mentioned, although the context and significance of the name are not entirely clear.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Noureen. One such individual was Noureen Nishati (1957-2005), an Afghan poet and women's rights activist who gained recognition for her work in promoting education and empowerment for women in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime.

Another notable Noureen was Noureen DeWulf (born 1984), an American actress and producer of Dutch-Indonesian descent, known for her roles in films and television shows such as "Anger Management" and "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

In the world of sports, Noureen Shahid (born 1985) is a Pakistani squash player who has represented her country in numerous international tournaments and won several prestigious titles, including the Asian Games gold medal in 2010.

Noureen Asloob (born 1974) is a Pakistani politician and social activist who has worked tirelessly for the rights of women and marginalized communities in her country. She has held various leadership positions within political parties and organizations.

Additionally, Noureen Dewulf (born 1984) is a Dutch-American actress and producer, known for her roles in films such as "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" and the TV series "Anger Management." She has also lent her voice to several animated projects.

While the name Noureen has its origins in the Persian language and Islamic tradition, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained popularity among diverse communities worldwide, with individuals from various backgrounds embracing its meaning and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Noureen over time

The chart below shows babies named Noureen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Noureen, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Noureen
01234200920152022

Decades

Noureen by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Noureen 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 #5669 3 1
2010s #5156 18 5
2000s #5556 3 1

Related

Names similar to Noureen

FAQ

Noureen: questions and answers

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

In 2022, Noureen was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Noureen most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 4 babies registered as Noureen in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Noureen?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "divine light" or "illuminated".

How many people are called Noureen in the UK?

A total of 24 babies have been registered as Noureen 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.