Noa was one of the daughters of Zelophehad — a biblical figure who challenged inheritance laws in a surprisngly ahead-of-her-time feminist move. The name means "movement" in Hebrew. In Israel, it's a top choice for girls: short, assertive and rooted in justice. It's becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. as well, following the trend of traditionally male-sounding names being given to more and more girls. Israeli pop star Noa Kirel, who performed at Eurovision in 2023, has given the name another joyous boost.
