Noreen
Girl name · 64 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Noreen: 64 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 8 births in 1987.
Noreen is an Anglicised form of the Irish Nóirín, a diminutive of Nóra which itself comes from the Latin *honor*, meaning “honour” or “esteem.” The name carries a gentle, vintage charm, most popular in the mid-20th century. Notable bearers include Noreen Murray, a Scottish geneticist who co-discovered the restriction enzyme used in early DNA research, and American actress Noreen Corcoran, best known for the sitcom *Bachelor Father*. While no major places bear the name, it shares its root with the more common Nora and the medieval Honora. Noreen also appears as a character in James Joyce’s *Ulysses*, adding a subtle literary resonance.
Girl 13 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19878 babies
- Latest (1992)
- #4865 babies
- Total births
- 64since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 15%vs prior 5y