The nameCora

Cora is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "maiden". Popular in the late 19th century, it came back in the 2010s.

Meaning

Cora comes from the Greek korē, "maiden", a name of Persephone, daughter of Demeter.

Origin

Greek. James Fenimore Cooper made it a name in English with Cora Munro, heroine of The Last of the Mohicans (1826).

History

Cora was in the American top 20 in the late 19th century. It returned to fashion in the 2010s, helped by Cora Crawley of the series Downton Abbey.

Famous people named Cora

Popularity of the name Cora

Cora in the United States

102ndmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2019peak year (3,601 births)
153,964babies named Cora in the United States since 1880
01,8013,601 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Cora was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 27,824 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Cora. Half of all babies named Cora in the United States were born before 1938, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 2,886 births a year on average, against 3,485 in the five years before.

Cora in the United Kingdom

116thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2024peak year (487 births)
6,655babies named Cora in the United Kingdom since 1997
0244487 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Cora was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 2,775 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Cora. Half of all babies named Cora in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 468 births a year on average, against 380 in the five years before.

Cora in Ireland

79thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2024peak year (80 births)
1,969babies named Cora in Ireland since 1964
04080 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Cora in France

6036thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2004peak year (20 births)
600babies named Cora in France since 1900
01020 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Cora

Names from the same generation as Cora, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Cora? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Cora with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Cora side by side with the name of your choice.

Cora in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Cora mean?

Cora comes from the Greek korē, "maiden", a name of Persephone, daughter of Demeter.

What is the origin of the name Cora?

Greek. James Fenimore Cooper made it a name in English with Cora Munro, heroine of The Last of the Mohicans (1826).

Is Cora a girl's or a boy's name?

Cora is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Cora?

In 2024, Cora was the 102nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 2,570 births.

What are the variants of the name Cora?

Variants and related names of Cora include Coraline.

What are good sibling names for Cora?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Athena, Alice, Penelope and Elena for a sister, Declan, Sawyer, Elliot and Elliott for a brother.

Who are famous people named Cora?

Cora Munro, The Last of the Mohicans heroine; Cora Crawley, Downton Abbey character; Cora Pearl, courtesan.