Kora Girl

Popularity: #439 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOR-uh //ˈkɔːrə//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: maiden; Latin: heart

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kora has its roots in ancient languages, primarily deriving from the Greek name 'Kore,' which means 'maiden' or 'daughter.' In Greek mythology, Kore is another name for Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. This association with a significant mythological figure imbues the name with themes of spring, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life, as Persephone's story symbolizes the changing seasons.

The name Kora likely entered English through the adaptation of Greek texts during the Renaissance, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity and its literature. Historically, the name Kora has been used in various cultures and languages, including as a variant of the name Cora, which gained popularity in the 18th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.

The name Cora appears in literature, such as in James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Last of the Mohicans" (1826), where Cora Munro is a central character, further solidifying its presence in Western culture. The name Kora itself has been used in different contexts, including as a name for girls in various cultures, reflecting a blend of linguistic and cultural influences.

Culturally, the name Kora resonates with themes of femininity and youth, often associated with purity and innocence due to its etymological roots. In addition to its mythological connections, the name has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including music and literature, where it symbolizes beauty and grace.

The diminutive form 'Kori' has also emerged in some contexts, reflecting a softer, more affectionate variant of the name. Overall, Kora's historical and cultural significance is deeply intertwined with its linguistic origins and the enduring themes it represents.

Famous people named Kora

In this section, you will find notable people named Kora. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kora who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kora who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Kora K. is a singer-songwriter best known for her work in the indie music scene.

Kora K. is a visual artist known for her contemporary installations and exhibitions.

Fictional characters named Kora

The following list of fictional characters named Kora is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Kora is a fictional character from the animated series The Legend of Korra. She is the Avatar tasked with maintaining balance in the world and mastering the four elements.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kora, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

NoraLaraMiraTaraZara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kora. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KiraKyraCeliaClaraLolaMiraZora

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kora was first seen in the United States in 1942.

Kora has ranked as high as #925 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Kora has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kora is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kora was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kora.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 603 603
2024 625 625
2023 571 571
2022 682 682
2021 620 620
2020 624 624
2019 662 662
2018 599 599
2017 506 506
2016 433 433
2015 462 462
2014 409 409
2013 356 356
2012 261 261
2011 226 226
2010 178 178
2009 152 152
2008 128 128
2007 123 123
2006 122 122
2005 101 101
2004 91 91
2003 116 116
2002 100 100
2001 92 92
2000 81 81
1999 81 81
1998 62 62
1997 47 47
1996 37 37
1995 36 36
1994 44 44
1993 41 41
1992 29 29
1991 28 28
1990 14 14
1989 24 24
1988 11 11
1987 12 12
1986 17 17
1985 9 9
1984 8 8
1983 7 7
1982 10 10
1981 13 13
1980 10 10
1979 10 10
1978 8 8
1977 5 5
1976 8 8
1975 7 7
1974 5 5
1972 6 6
1970 6 6
1968 5 5
1966 7 7
1964 6 6
1942 5 5

Top States for Kora (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 63
11%
CA 48
8%
FL 40
7%
OH 36
6%
NY 24
4%
MI 23
4%
IN 22
4%
PA 22
4%
MO 19
3%
CO 19
3%
NC 18
3%
MN 16
3%
WA 16
3%
VA 15
3%
IL 14
2%
GA 13
2%
TN 13
2%
OK 13
2%
IA 11
2%
UT 11
2%
AZ 11
2%
NE 10
2%
AL 10
2%
KS 10
2%
WI 10
2%
LA 9
2%
MA 8
1%
NV 8
1%
OR 8
1%
KY 8
1%
SC 7
1%
NJ 7
1%
MD 7
1%
ND 7
1%
ID 6
1%
CT 6
1%
AR 5
1%