Dura

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Dura

Pronounced DOOR-uh /ˈdʊər.ə/Low

Meaning: Dura is best read as a variant of Dora, the short form of Dorothy and Theodora, from the Greek 'doron,' gift. The spelling also matches the Latin 'dura,' the feminine of 'durus,' hard, firm or enduring, which may have reinforced its appeal. We present the Dora route as primary and note the Latin echo.Low

In 30 seconds: Dura most likely varies Dora, from Greek 'doron,' gift; it also echoes Latin 'dura,' enduring. Rare, it peaked around 1918 (said DOOR-uh).

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Origin LowGreek, Latin

MeaningDura is best read as a variant of Dora, the short form of Dorothy and Theodora, from the Greek 'doron,' gift. The spelling also matches the Latin 'dura,' the feminine of 'durus,' hard, firm or enduring, which may have reinforced its appeal. We present the Dora route as primary and note the Latin echo.

U.S. rank (1942)#4811 ↘ Falling

1942 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 245

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Dura is most plausibly a spelling variant of Dora, itself the short form of Dorothy and Theodora, from the Greek 'doron,' meaning gift. By coincidence the name matches the Latin 'dura,' enduring or firm, which may have added to its appeal for some families. The gift-name route is the likelier one, and we flag the Latin sense rather than lean on it.

Dura was never common in the United States, given to only about twenty girls a year at its faint peak around 1918. A woman named Dura then would be past a hundred now.

Did you know? Dura looks just like the Latin word for firm or enduring, but as a name it most likely began as a simple variant of the sweet vintage favorite Dora.

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Dura — Likely variant of Dora (Greek 'doron'); Latin 'dura' echo noted

Variations

DoraDorisDorothea

Nicknames

DeeDura

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dura…

Dora— the likely parent name it varies

Cora— a like short vintage '-ora' name

Nora— shares the soft two-beat sound

Flora— another gentle vintage girls' name

Explore names like Dura

By themeuncertain rare vintage greek

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dura mean?

It is most likely a variant of Dora, from the Greek 'doron,' gift. It also matches the Latin 'dura,' meaning enduring or firm.

How do you pronounce Dura?

It is said DOOR-uh /ˈdʊər.ə/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Dura a boy or girl name?

Dura is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Dura?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak in the late nineteen-tens.