Thoughts on Noa for a girl?

[netushka]

We want to name our daughter Noa. It's a well known name in Israel, where we're from. But will she struggle with it in the UK? We'll we need to constantly explain it's not Noah, but Noa, and it's a girl's name?

[MattDillonsPants]

Well....yes. You will need to explain a lot. Noa and Noah sound the same. It's very much a boy's name in the UK and people immediately think of Noah and the Ark.

There's a well known song about Noah too. I would choose another name.

[Dogadviceneeded]

I like it

[Mynd]

I think it'd be fine. I've got a short but very rare name. I spell it a few times a week but it's only 4 letters so no biggy. People just accept the name as belonging to my face and life goes on.

Noa is very pretty.

[CatsAreLikeChocolates]

I probably wouldn't as Noah is such a popular boy's name in our area and Noa for a girl would result in endless corrections on spelling, gender, pronunciation, etc.

[wigglesrock]

I think you'd be fine using it. It's a lovely name - if one of my dds told me a girl in her class was called Noa - I'd know how to spell it and wouldn't really raise an eyebrow.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Noah is a popular boys name.

So no, I wouldn't use it for a girl.

[VeryPunny]

I know a Noa - similar circumstances, Israeli parents. A few double takes at the beginning but afterwards no problems

[pinkcan]

Due to the confusion with Noah, I wouldn't use it. I am a fan of simplicity though!

[BikeRunSki]

I love Noa, and went to school with a half French-half Isaraeli girl of this name about 40 years ago! Sadly, I agree that the huge popularity of Noah in preschoolers at the moment would make life very annoying for a wee girl called Noa.

[scrivette]

I like it, I keep hearing that Noah is a popular name but I don't know of any.

[MishMooshAndMogwai]

I really like it but it looks a bit odd written down. I do like 'boys names' for girls though even though this is a name in its own right.

[originalmavis]

People may assume it's Norah, which has Norah Batty connotations in the UK. Or assume it's short for something. Does it sound the same?

[Gummibearchen]

I like it a lot and we too know a little Noa.

[Mynd]

Even if it sounds like Noah, I do doubt people would call a girl Noah automatically! I'd put it in the same category as Frances / Francis.

Norah doesn't have a Norah Batty connotations any more, does it? I know a couple of Norahs, both 5. They both really suit their names!

[Sophronia]

I like Noa for a girl. I think Miley Cyrus has a sister called Noah so it's not unheard of.

[TheDowagerCuntess]

It's not a name I'd choose myself, but it's really lovely. Yes, you may have some confusion from time-to-time, but as Mynd says, that's no different from any other name with male/female spelling variations.

[VimFuego101]

It's really nice, but I think you need to prepare yourself for people assuming it's a boys name.

[TurquoiseDress]

I think it's a really pretty name- go for it if you like it.

Yes you'll have to confirm how it's spelled for others but if people know you have a little girl, calling her 'Noah' is a bit stupid as she's clearly not a boy, IMO

[VerBot]

It sounds fine for a girl. I used to have a perfume called Noa, don't know if it is still available.

[MyNewBearTotoro]

Love it

[PotteringAlong]

I've taught a Noa! She was also Israeli and very lovely.

[timelytess]

Noa is a girls name. No problem. Except that I'd use the h regardless. Noah.

[NadiaWadia]

I saw an Israeli drama (think it was Hostages) where the daughter was named Noa, so I have heard of this. I do think it sounds girly myself, as most names ending in an 'a' sound tend to, so I think it's fine. Nice name.

The only trouble is, Noah for boys is extremely popular in the UK at the moment, so you might get a bit of confusion from some people. Out of interest, is Noah for boys also popular in Israel, or not?

[Shemozzle]

I've met a Noa, pretty little thing. It's a really feminine name to me and I had heard of it before Noah became popular so I didn't think it masculine at all.

[BertrandRussell]

It's a lovely name. But everyone will think she's a boy. Sorry.