אֵלֶּה, תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ--נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה, בְּדֹרֹתָיו: אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים, הִתְהַלֶּךְ-נֹחַ
These are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and whole-hearted; Noah walked with God. Bereshit 6:9
As explained at Ask Noah on the message of the rainbow in parashah Noah:
Rashi, quoting the words "for everlasting generations," notes that the word for generations in Hebrew -- "doros" -- is written without the letter "vav." He writes: "[The word doros] is written defectively (i.e., without the letter vav), because there are generations which do not require a sign ...
This parashah follows the parashah where Chavah (Eve) receives her name. Chavah means "protected" and "sheltered". From this, we could suggest that Chavah was a "sheltered woman", protected from the harsh tests of life.
Originally, Chavah's name was meant to be Chayah (meaning "alive", "living", "giving life"). But the letter yud of Chayah's name was not yet made so her name was formed with the letter vav instead. This is the vav "missing" in Noah's "generations".
The flood came, and then "colors came alive" in the sky as a rainbow of promise that one day, some day, the colors would "come alive" in Chayah's name and in Noah's heart and mind (as opposed to merely in the sky).
Related, the paraphrased title and lyrics of Say My Name by Within Temptation (hear the beautiful song at Across The Borders Of Time):
Know My Name by Beyond Temptation
I tell you my names
So you will know I'm back, I'm here again
For a while
Oh let us share
The memories that only we can share
Together
I tell you about
The days before I was born
How we were as One
I touch your hand with my vision
These colors come alive
In my heart and in my mind
I cross the borders of time
Leaving all behind to be with you again
We breath the air
Do you remember how I used to touch your soul?
I'm aware
My hands keep writing
I know that you are here
We soar and fall
Now we are raised
To where we belong
I touch your hand with my vision
These colors come alive
In your heart and in your mind
You cross the borders of time
Leaving all behind to be with me again
Know my name
Remember who I am
You will find me in the world of today
Drift with me again
You are near to where I am
When you don't have to ask me who I am
Know my name
These colors come alive
In our heart and in our mind
We cross the borders of time
Leaving all behind to be together again
Know my name
Please don't ask me who I am
