Ora Unisex

Popularity: #905 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OR-uh /ˈɔːrə/

Origin: Hebrew; Latin

Meaning: Hebrew: light; Latin: pray

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ora has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word 'or,' which means 'light' or 'illumination.' This etymological origin reflects a broader cultural significance, as light is often associated with knowledge, purity, and divinity in various traditions. The name entered the English language through the translation of biblical texts, particularly during the Renaissance when Hebrew names were increasingly adopted in Christian contexts.

The transition from Hebrew to English was facilitated by the Latin Vulgate and later the King James Bible, published in 1611, which helped popularize many biblical names, including Ora, although it is less commonly referenced than others. Historically, the name Ora has been associated with various figures in religious texts, although specific individuals bearing the name are not prominently featured in major historical documents.

The name's use can be traced back to the 19th century in English-speaking countries, where it was sometimes given to girls in a nod to its meaning of light. The name also appears in various cultural contexts, often symbolizing hope and enlightenment, which resonate with the values of many communities.

In addition to its primary form, Ora has seen variations and diminutives in different cultures, though these are less documented. The enduring appeal of the name can be attributed to its positive connotations and the universal symbolism of light, which has been a significant theme in literature, art, and religious discourse throughout history.

As such, Ora embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the human affinity for names that evoke brightness and clarity.

Famous people named Ora

In this section, you will find notable people named Ora. 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 Ora who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ora 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.

Ora Carew is an actress best known for The Girl of the Golden West, The Girl from Frisco, and The Love of Sunya.

Ora Ray is a singer best known for her work in the 1940s and 1950s with various jazz ensembles.

Sibling suggestions

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

LilaMiraNinaZaraTara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ora. 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.

AuraCoraNoraSoraZoraLoraKora

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ora was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ora has ranked as high as #324 nationally, which occurred in 1919, and has been most popular in Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ora 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 Ora was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Ora (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
CA 10
100%

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 Ora.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 40 0 40
2024 51 5 46
2023 44 0 44
2022 41 0 41
2021 39 0 39
2020 34 0 34
2019 48 10 38
2018 42 0 42
2017 26 0 26
2016 40 5 35
2015 40 5 35
2014 27 0 27
2013 24 0 24
2012 15 0 15
2011 24 7 17
2010 18 0 18
2009 16 0 16
2008 22 0 22
2007 20 0 20
2006 12 0 12
2005 22 6 16
2004 13 0 13
2003 11 0 11
2002 13 0 13
2001 19 6 13
2000 18 5 13
1999 13 0 13
1998 17 0 17
1997 16 0 16
1996 19 6 13
1995 12 0 12
1994 16 0 16
1993 19 5 14
1992 31 7 24
1991 22 0 22
1990 15 5 10
1989 27 6 21
1988 38 9 29
1987 30 8 22
1986 33 6 27
1985 43 9 34
1984 46 10 36
1983 34 9 25
1982 36 7 29
1981 49 16 33
1980 47 10 37
1979 54 17 37
1978 39 5 34
1977 48 13 35
1976 49 16 33
1975 59 11 48
1974 46 12 34
1973 55 8 47
1972 66 13 53
1971 76 19 57
1970 68 10 58
1969 79 19 60
1968 87 13 74
1967 89 18 71
1966 99 21 78
1965 104 13 91
1964 130 19 111
1963 124 13 111
1962 138 19 119
1961 182 24 158
1960 151 26 125
1959 196 23 173
1958 206 25 181
1957 221 25 196
1956 251 26 225
1955 262 36 226
1954 263 27 236
1953 274 37 237
1952 312 33 279
1951 296 28 268
1950 313 43 270
1949 377 37 340
1948 375 47 328
1947 384 37 347
1946 399 46 353
1945 377 52 325
1944 406 43 363
1943 453 57 396
1942 430 60 370
1941 453 42 411
1940 470 50 420
1939 495 57 438
1938 464 49 415
1937 526 67 459
1936 519 76 443
1935 568 66 502
1934 593 82 511
1933 605 52 553
1932 626 71 555
1931 650 87 563
1930 763 86 677
1929 717 84 633
1928 763 108 655
1927 900 109 791
1926 881 123 758
1925 951 118 833
1924 952 129 823
1923 892 104 788
1922 1,021 156 865
1921 978 143 835
1920 1,015 120 895
1919 1,078 158 920
1918 990 131 859
1917 1,016 129 887
1916 1,010 153 857
1915 937 134 803
1914 797 99 698
1913 706 84 622
1912 670 65 605
1911 555 42 513
1910 548 53 495
1909 513 40 473
1908 474 48 426
1907 454 30 424
1906 441 34 407
1905 470 39 431
1904 448 36 412
1903 433 34 399
1902 470 43 427
1901 434 34 400
1900 505 42 463
1899 386 29 357
1898 486 39 447
1897 452 44 408
1896 450 42 408
1895 468 52 416
1894 446 42 404
1893 385 35 350
1892 458 53 405
1891 378 51 327
1890 403 49 354
1889 393 47 346
1888 395 70 325
1887 294 63 231
1886 350 63 287
1885 276 58 218
1884 319 68 251
1883 277 65 212
1882 248 67 181
1881 246 55 191
1880 213 64 149