Nouri is an alternate transcription of the Arabic name Nuri, which means "my light" in Arabic. It is used both as a given name and a surname across the Arabic-speaking world and beyond, with a notable presence in countries like Iraq, Turkey, and Algeria. The name carries connotations of brightness, guidance, or spiritual illumination, reflecting a common theme in Arabic onomastics where names derived from nūr (light) symbolize enlightenment or nobility. Notable Bearers Prominent historical figures with this name include Nuri as-Said (1888–1958), a dominant Iraqi politician who served multiple terms as Prime Minister during the Hashemite era and played a key role in Iraqi and regional politics until his assassination in the 1958 revolution. In the religious sphere, Nuri Ja'far (1914–1991) was a pioneering Iraqi psychologist and philosopher of education. More recently, Nouri al-Maliki (born 1950) served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2014, shaping the country's post-Saddam political landscape. The name also appears in military contexts: Nuri Killigil (1881–1949) was an Ottoman Army general, and Nuri Berköz (1889–1975) was an Azerbaijani general. Variant Forms The spelling Nouri is most common among Arabic-speaking communities as a transliteration, while variations like Noori, Nori, or Noory also occur per linguistic and regional preferences. Both Nouri and Nuri are considered unisex, though usage tends to being predominantly masculine in most Arab countries such as Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula. Meaning: "my light" Origin: Arabic Type: Given name & surname Usage regions: Arabic-speaking countries (especially Iraq, Syria, and Arabian Peninsula) as well as Turkey and Azerbaijan under influence of Ottoman and Turkic culture