Given name & surname
Nori
“one who upholds the law”
Nori is a variant of Noriko. One Japanese interpretation is “one who upholds the law.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Nori is a variant of Noriko. One Japanese interpretation is “one who upholds the law.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Nori is a variant of Noriko. An origin associated with Noriko is Japanese.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1950. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Nori through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,272
- 244 boys · 3,028 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 322 babies
- 2025
- 224
- #1,196 for girls · #3,632 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +38%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 9% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 193 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,196 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 38.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 31 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (16). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,790 as a first name in 2020; 554 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Nori’s family of names
Nori has a related form in Noriko. In Greek usage, Nori as a surname is a transliteration of Νόρη.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Nori
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Nori, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Navy
11% boys · 89% girls
Norah
In English use, Norah is a diminutive of Honora. One Latin interpretation is “having a good name and integrity; an honorable woman.”
>99% girls
Zuri
“a beauty” · “lovely and white”
2% boys · 98% girls
Nova
“new; a bright star” · “a butterfly chaser”
5% boys · 95% girls
Ivory
Ivory is used as a given name and a surname. One English interpretation is “having a creamy-white complexion; as precious as elephant tusks.”
6% boys · 94% girls
Emory
“the work ruler; the strength of home”
29% boys · 71% girls
Nalani
“a calmness of the skies; heaven's calm”
>99% girls
Naomi
“pleasantness” · “one who is pleasant”
>99% girls