Nuh is the Arabic form of Noah, linked to the Hebrew Noach, “rest” or “comfort”. It is the name of the Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him), who built the Ark at Allah’s command. Nuh is still rare in England and Wales, with 55 boys in 2025, while its English form, Noah, was the second most popular boys’ name.
What does Nuh mean?
Nuh comes from the same ancient name as Noah. In Genesis, his father names him with the words “this one will comfort us” (Genesis 5:29), and the Hebrew name Noach is usually explained as “rest”. In Arabic the root n-w-ḥ also means to lament or weep, and some classical writers connected the name with Nuh’s long grief for his people. Most families choose it simply for the Prophet.
How do you pronounce Nuh?
Say NOOH: one long “oo” ending in the Arabic letter ḥ, a breathy “h” from the throat, as if fogging a mirror. It is not said like the English word “nuh”.
How do you spell Nuh? Spellings and variants
- Nuh: the standard spelling.
- Nooh and Nouh, which show the long vowel.
- Noah (English) and Nuh (Turkish).
How popular is Nuh in the UK?
Nuh is a rare and distinctive choice. It was given to 55 boys and shared 658th place in England and Wales in 2025, a jump of 266 places from the year before. The English form, Noah, is a different story: it was the second most popular boys’ name of 2025, with 4,075 boys (ONS).
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuh | 658 | 55 | up 266 places |
| Noah (English form) | 2 | 4,075 | no change |
The Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him)
Nuh’s name appears in the Qur’an more than forty times, and Surah Nuh (71) is named after him. He called his people to worship Allah alone for 950 years (29:14), by night and by day, in public and in private (71:5–9), but most of them refused and mocked him. Allah told him to build the Ark “under Our eyes” (11:37), and to take on board his family, the believers and a pair of every kind of animal (11:40). When the flood came, the Ark sailed on waves like mountains (11:42) and came to rest on Mount Judi (11:44).
Allah says, “Peace be upon Nuh among the worlds” (37:79). Nuh is one of the five Prophets of strong resolve (33:7), and his story is one of the five in the Hudhud book: the child flies with Hudhud over the Ark as the animals walk aboard.
For the full story, told for children, see Prophet Nuh and the Ark.
What middle names go with Nuh?
Because Nuh is a single short syllable, it pairs well with a longer middle name:
What are nicknames for Nuh?
Nuh rarely needs one. Some families say Nuhi for a little one.
What are good sibling names for Nuh?
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nuh mean?
Nuh is the Arabic form of Noah, linked to the Hebrew Noach, usually explained as “rest” or “comfort” (Genesis 5:29).
Is Nuh in the Qur’an?
Yes. Nuh is named more than forty times in the Qur’an, and Surah Nuh (71) carries his name. His story is told especially in Hud (11:25–49), and the Ark came to rest on Mount Judi (11:44).
Is Nuh the same as Noah?
Yes. Nuh is the Arabic and Qur’anic form of Noah, the Prophet who built the Ark. In England and Wales, Noah was the second most popular boys’ name of 2025.
Is Nuh a rare name in the UK?
Yes. Only 55 boys were named Nuh in England and Wales in 2025, about 1 in 5,500, putting it joint 658th, though that was a jump of 266 places (ONS). Noah, the English form, was given to 4,075 boys.
Is Nuh a lucky name?
Islam does not teach lucky names (Sahih al-Bukhari 5776). Families choose Nuh for the Prophet’s patience and trust in Allah, and for Allah’s own greeting, “Peace be upon Nuh among the worlds” (37:79).
How do you pronounce Nuh?
Say NOOH: a long “oo” followed by a soft, breathy Arabic “h” from the throat.
What are good middle names for Nuh?
As a one-syllable name, Nuh suits a longer middle name: Nuh Ibrahim, Nuh Zakariya, Nuh Yusuf, Nuh Idris or Nuh Sulayman.
Is the Prophet Nuh in the Hudhud book?
Yes. Nuh and the Ark are one of the five stories in Hudhud, with Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad (peace be upon them).