Is Noah a Biblical Name? — Origin, Meaning & History Explained

Yes, Noah is a Biblical name. It appears in the Book of Genesis as the builder of the ark who survived the great flood. In Hebrew, נֹחַ (Noach) means “rest” or “comfort.”

Quick Answer

Biblical?	Yes — Genesis 5:29, 6-9
Meaning	Rest, comfort, relief
Hebrew	נֹחַ (Noach)
Nationality of origin	Ancient Hebrew
Popularity	#2 in US, Top 5 globally
Gender	Primarily boy; also used for girls

Noah in the Bible

Noah appears prominently in Genesis 5–9 in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which is shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The name is explained by his father Lamech in Genesis 5:29: “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.”

Key Biblical events connected to Noah:

• The Ark — God instructed Noah to build a great ark
• The Flood — 40 days and 40 nights of rain
• The Covenant — God’s rainbow covenant with humanity
• Post-Flood — Noah planted the first vineyard; his sons became ancestors of all humanity

Noah in Islam: Nuh

In the Quran, Noah appears as Nuh (نوح) — one of the most significant prophets. The 71st chapter of the Quran is named Sura Nuh entirely after him. Noah/Nuh is venerated in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — making this one of the most universally respected names in human history.

Why Is Noah #2 in the US?

Noah’s rise reflects several trends:

1. Biblical names returning — Emma, Elijah, Caleb, Levi are all rising
2. Simple sound — Two syllables, easy everywhere
3. Universal story — Known across cultures and religions
4. Strong meaning — “Rest, comfort” resonates with parents

Is Noah Used for Girls?

Traditionally, Noah has been a male name. However, a variant Noa (without the ‘h’) is popular as a girl’s name — it’s the #1 girl’s name in Israel, Spain, and several European countries.

Famous People Named Noah

• Noah Webster — Creator of the first American dictionary
• Noah Wyle — American actor (ER)
• Noah Schnapp — Actor (Stranger Things)

Similar Biblical Names

If you love Noah, explore:

• Elijah — Hebrew, “My God is Yahweh”
• Levi — Hebrew, “joined, attached”
• Asher — Hebrew, “happy, blessed”
• Jonah — Hebrew, “dove”

Explore more: Noah name page | Biblical baby names | Boy names starting with N