nur

Nur is a name and term of Arabic origin meaning light. The Arabic word نور (nur) denotes illumination or radiance and appears in religious and literary contexts, including the Qur'anic concept of divine light and in poetry. In personal naming, Nur is used across a wide geographic area, including the Arab world, Iran, Turkey, the Indian subcontinent, and Central Asia, in given names for both genders in some cultures and primarily for women in others. Spelling variants such as Noor, Nour, Nuri, and Nuur reflect adaptation to different languages and scripts.

In historical and modern figures, Nur appears in compound names such as Nur al-Din (Light of the Faith), Nur ad-Din Zangi, a 12th-century Muslim ruler; and Nur Jahan, the influential empress of the Mughal Empire (1577–1645). The name also remains popular in contemporary contexts, among Muslims and non-Muslims, for its luminous connotation.

In addition to given names, Nur appears in toponyms and institutional names in some countries, reflecting cultural diffusion of Arabic loanwords. As a surname, Nur occurs in various cultures, though less commonly than as a given name. Overall, Nur is a concise, positive given name with cross-cultural reach, carrying connotations of light, guidance, and illumination.