Noah

Meaning: Its source is Noach, a Hebrew name meaning "Peaceful."

Languages: This boy's name is used in English.

Nicknames: Noe and Norrie

Non-English Forms: Noë

Source Forms: Noach

Popularity: The name Noah ranked 30th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 458th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name was popular earlier in the 20th century, then fell off in usage, but has begun making a comeback in recent years.

Narrative: There are many suggested meanings for the name of the Ark builder of the Jewish scriptures, including ''long-lived,'' ''comforter'' and ''wanderer.'' However, the origins of this name are ultimately wrapped in mystery.

The antiquity of Noah's story is such that scholars debate possible derivations from the names of Assyrian and Old Babylonian minor deities and other legendary figures from pre-Biblical times.

Leadership

Noah H. Swayne
American jurist.
- U.S. Supreme Court justice, 1862-81 (see list of U.S. Supreme Court Justices)

Miscellaneous

Noah Adams
American public radio host.
- Host of ''''All Things Considered'''' (see list of National Public Radio Hosts)
Noah
Builder of the ark, in which he and his family, with two of each creature of the land, survived the Great Flood.
- Appears in Genesis (see list of Biblical Names from the Old Testament)

Stage and Screen

Noah Beery, Jr. (born 1916)
American actor.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television (see list of Television Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Noah Keefer
Fictional character.
- Character on the soap opera ''''All My Children'''' (see list of Characters on ''All My Children'')
Noah
- Portrayed by Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs (see list of Characters on ''Roots'')
Noah Wyle (born 1971)
American actor.
- Portrays Dr. John Carter (see list of Actors on ''ER'')