UK girl's name
Nurah
A feminine Arabic name signifying radiant light or illumination.
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.
Nurah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nurah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2000, with 14 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 15 births.
This profile covers 101 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2008 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.
The latest count is about 93% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 101 living people in the UK are called Nurah. 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
- • Nurah ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 14 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 15 girls were registered as Nurah.
- • About 101 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nurah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2000
2024
Births in 2024
14
Latest year
Peak year
2021
15 births
Estimated living
101
2026
Meaning
What does Nurah mean?
The name Nurah has its origins in the Arabic language, and it is believed to have been derived from the Arabic word "nur," which means "light" or "radiance." The name is commonly found in regions with a significant Muslim population, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nurah can be traced back to the 7th century, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. It is believed that the name was given to a young girl born in Medina, which was one of the most important cities in the early Islamic world.
In Islamic tradition, the name Nurah is often associated with the concept of enlightenment and spiritual guidance. It is mentioned in several Islamic texts and manuscripts, particularly those related to the study of Sufism and mysticism.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Nurah. One of the most famous is Nurah bint Muhammad al-Haddad (1218-1290 CE), a renowned Sufi scholar and mystic from the city of Damascus. She was known for her profound wisdom and spiritual teachings, and her writings continue to be studied and revered by Sufis to this day.
Another notable figure is Nurah al-Khalili (1515-1589 CE), a renowned poet and calligrapher from Baghdad. She was celebrated for her mastery of the Arabic language and her intricate calligraphic works, which are considered masterpieces of Islamic art.
In the 19th century, Nurah al-Ghazi (1835-1912) was a prominent Egyptian activist and feminist who played a pivotal role in the early women's rights movement in Egypt. She advocated for women's education and fought against various social injustices faced by women at the time.
Nurah al-Sakkaf (1894-1976) was a pioneering Yemeni journalist and writer who founded one of the first women's magazines in Yemen. She used her platform to promote women's rights and challenge traditional gender norms in Yemeni society.
Lastly, Nurah Hafiz (1919-2006) was a renowned Pakistani artist and painter, known for her vibrant and colorful depictions of the natural world and traditional Pakistani life. Her works are celebrated for their unique blend of traditional and modern styles, and she is considered one of the most influential artists in Pakistan's history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nurah over time
The chart below shows babies named Nurah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 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 Nurah, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 14 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nurah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nurah 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 | #2332 | 57 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3591 | 37 | 5 |
| 2000s | #5040 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Nurah
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nurah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nurah in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nurah was ranked #2000 for girls in England and Wales, with 14 births registered.
When was Nurah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 15 babies registered as Nurah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nurah?
A feminine Arabic name signifying radiant light or illumination.
How many people are called Nurah in the UK?
A total of 101 babies have been registered as Nurah across the 12 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.