נֹעָה
Noa / Noa
“Movement/motion”
Noa (נֹעָה, Noa) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “movement/motion,” pronounced “NO-ah.” From the Hebrew root נ-ו-ע (nun-vav-ayin) meaning 'to move, to wander, to shake.' The name נֹעָה (Noa) means 'movement' or 'motion.' This is distinct from the male name Noah (נֹחַ, Noach), which comes from a different root meaning 'rest.'
| Hebrew | נֹעָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Noa |
| English Name | Noa |
| Meaning | Movement/motion |
| Pronunciation | NO-ah |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | No'a, Noga |
| Key Scripture | Numbers 27:7 |
Noa is not Noah — and that distinction matters. While Noah (נֹחַ, Noach) is the male name meaning 'rest,' Noa (נֹעָה) is a completely different female name meaning 'movement' or 'motion.' The biblical Noa was one of five sisters — the daughters of Zelophehad — who did something unprecedented in the ancient world: they stood before Moses, the priests, and the entire assembly of Israel and demanded their right to inherit land, since their father had died without sons. God sided with them, saying 'What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right' (Numbers 27:7), and Moses changed the law. These women literally moved the legal boundaries of their society, making Noa — 'movement' — the perfect name for a history-making activist.
Key Scripture: Numbers 27:7
“What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and give their father's inheritance to them.”
What Does Noa Mean in Hebrew?
From the root נ-ו-ע (nun-vav-ayin) meaning 'to move, to sway, to wander.' The form נֹעָה (Noa) is a feminine noun/name meaning 'movement.' Note the crucial difference from Noah/נֹחַ: Noa ends with ayin (ע) and means 'movement,' while Noach ends with chet (ח) and means 'rest.' They are completely different names from different roots.
Noa in the Bible
Noa was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 27:1-11). The sisters approached Moses because their father had died without sons, and they argued for the right to inherit his land. God affirmed their claim, and a new law was established allowing daughters to inherit when there are no sons — a landmark moment for women's rights in the ancient world.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Noa's status as the #1 girls' name in Israel reflects modern Israeli values — the daughters of Zelophehad are celebrated as feminist pioneers who challenged patriarchal norms and won. The name represents a contemporary Israeli ideal: strong, independent women who demand their rights while remaining rooted in biblical tradition.
Noa is the #1 girls' name in Israel and has been for multiple years. Its simplicity, modern sound, and powerful biblical backstory make it overwhelmingly popular. Outside Israel, it's gaining recognition but is sometimes confused with the male Noah. Israeli singer Noa (Achinoam Nini) has brought international visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Noa
What does Noa mean in Hebrew?
Noa (נֹעָה, Noa) means “Movement/motion” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew root נ-ו-ע (nun-vav-ayin) meaning 'to move, to wander, to shake.' The name נֹעָה (Noa) means 'movement' or 'motion.' This is distinct from the male name Noah (נֹחַ, Noach), which comes from a different root meaning 'rest.'
How do you pronounce Noa in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Noa is “NO-ah.” The name is written נֹעָה in Hebrew script.
Is Noa the same as Noah?
No — they are completely different names. Noa (נֹעָה) is a female name meaning 'movement/motion' from the root נ-ו-ע. Noah (נֹחַ, Noach) is a male name meaning 'rest/comfort' from the root נ-ו-ח. They sound similar in English but are spelled and pronounced differently in Hebrew and have unrelated etymologies.
What did the daughters of Zelophehad do?
The five daughters of Zelophehad — Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah — appeared before Moses and the entire assembly to claim their right to inherit their dead father's land, since he had no sons. God affirmed their claim, and Moses changed the inheritance law (Numbers 27:1-11). This was a landmark legal precedent for women's property rights in the ancient world.
Why is Noa the most popular girls' name in Israel?
Noa perfectly embodies what Israeli parents seek: a name that is authentically Hebrew, beautifully simple, and connected to a powerful biblical story of women fighting for their rights. The daughters of Zelophehad are seen as feminist pioneers in a tradition-rooted context. The name's two-syllable simplicity and modern sound add to its irresistible appeal.
Sources & Further Study
More Female Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Female Biblical Names collection
Related Hebrew Names
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