Noah

Boys

Best rank #2 (2015) · ranked in 18 years

Noah climbed onto the charts in 2008 and stayed listed for 18 years, topping out at #2 in 2015.

It climbed from #22 in 2008 to #2 in 2025.

As of the latest count (2025), Noah sits at #2.

At its peak year of 2015, Noah was given to 19,817 newborns.

Noah was most popular around 2015, making it characteristic of the 2010s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820172025
  1. 2025220,826
  2. 2024220,951
  3. 2023219,574
  4. 2022219,238
  5. 2021219,337
  6. 2020218,772
  7. 2019219,397
  8. 2018318,616
  9. 2017418,683
  10. 2016319,322
  11. 2015219,817
  12. 2014319,451
  13. 2013418,371
  14. 2012717,463
  15. 2011916,962
  16. 20101116,561
  17. 20091217,332
  18. 20082215,864

Similar names

If Noah is on your shortlist, Nathan, Nicholas, Naomi are worth a look too, given the similar sound and comparable popularity trends.

Origin & meaning

Noah comes from the Hebrew name Noach, generally understood to mean "rest" or "repose", derived from the Hebrew root nuach (to rest); some scholars connect it to a related root meaning "to comfort". It is best known as the biblical figure who built the ark in the Book of Genesis.

Notable people named Noah

  • Noah Webster - American lexicographer who created Webster's Dictionary and reformed American English spelling
  • Noah Wyle - Actor known for playing Dr. John Carter on the television series ER
  • Noah Centineo - Actor known for To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Noah has been a consistent top-five name in the US for over a decade, ranking as the second most popular boys' name in recent Social Security Administration data, reflecting the enduring popularity of biblical names alongside Liam and Oliver.

Where Noah is most popular

In 2025, Noah was recorded in 51 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 20,792 births nationwide.

The largest share came from California at 2,649 births, 12.7% of the national total, where it ranked #1 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 42.0% of Noah births, against 18.5% Northeast, 16.5% Midwest, 22.9% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Noah placed as high as #1 in California and as low as #21 in Montana.

Top states, 2025

  1. 1California2,649 · #1 there
  2. 2Texas2,504 · #2 there
  3. 3Florida1,771 · #2 there
  4. 4New York1,397 · #1 there
  5. 5Pennsylvania752 · #1 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast18.5%
  • Midwest16.5%
  • South42.0%
  • West22.9%

Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states

Frequently asked questions

Is Noah a popular name?
Noah reached a best rank of #2 in 2015 and has charted in 18 years.
Where does Noah rank now?
In the most recent data (2025), Noah ranks #2.
Is Noah a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
When was Noah most popular?
Noah peaked around 2015.

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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)