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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cora

Cora

♀ Girl

Pronounced KOR-uh /ˈkɔːr.ə/High

Meaning: Maiden; girl — from Greek kore (maiden, girl, daughter)High

In 30 seconds: A crisp Greek name meaning 'maiden,' Cora was the mortal name of the goddess Persephone before her descent to the underworld. Its brevity and mythological depth have fueled a major modern revival.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningMaiden; girl — from Greek kore (maiden, girl, daughter)
U.S. rank (2025)#113 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births2,428 girls (0.15% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 156,005

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201918802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cora derives from the Greek Kore, meaning 'maiden' or 'girl.' In Greek mythology Kore was another name for Persephone before her marriage to Hades. The Latinized form Cora was popularized in the English-speaking world.

Cora was fashionable in the 19th century and fell from use mid-20th century, but has staged a very strong revival in the 21st century, now ranking in the U.S. top 100 girls' names.

Did you know? Kore (the Greek original of Cora) was the maiden name of Persephone, queen of the underworld — her abduction by Hades gave the Greeks their explanation for winter.

Variations

KoreCoralineCorinna

Nicknames

CoriCoco

Famous Bearers

  • ★Cora Sandel (1880-1974)
    Norwegian writer and painter

If you like Cora…

Nora— short two-syllable classic with the same crisp vintage revival feel
Luna— two-syllable nature name with the same mythological depth and modern appeal
Sandra— echoes that soft -ra sound
Korra— shares the -ra ending
Kaira— echoes that soft -ra sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cora mean?

Cora comes from the Greek kore, meaning 'maiden' or 'girl.' It was an alternative name for the goddess Persephone in Greek mythology.

How do you pronounce Cora?

It is said KOR-uh /ˈkɔːr.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cora a boy or girl name?

Cora is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Cora?

Cora has been rising strongly in the U.S. and is now among the top 100 girls' names.

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