"coral, sea jewel"
Origin: Latin corallium
Language: French
Coraline
Pronunciation: [ k-AWR-uhl-eyen ]
Does Coraline flow with your last name?
The brave literary heroine of the Other World
English
French
American
Whimsical
Literary
Vintage
Elegant
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"maiden of the coral sea"
Origin: French/Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Coraline
Coraline is a French variant of the name Coralie, derived from the Latin corallium meaning coral — the precious marine substance formed by sea creatures. The name evokes the rich pink-red color and organic beauty of coral reefs. While Coralie has been used in France for centuries, Coraline gained its distinctive identity through Neil Gaimans 2002 novella.
Coralines popularity skyrocketed after Neil Gaimans 2002 novella and the celebrated 2009 stop-motion animated film directed by Henry Selick. The films haunting, imaginative aesthetic perfectly matched the names unusual beauty, making it a favorite among parents who love fantasy, animation, and literature.
In modern popular culture, Coraline is inseparable from Gaimans story — a brave girl who discovers a secret door to an Other World. The name has become associated with courage, imagination, and the willingness to face darkness. For families who love Gaimans work, its a meaningful literary homage.
Historical Record
Coraline first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 6,370 babies have been named Coraline in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Coraline is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #721 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Neil Gaiman chose Coraline specifically because its a misprint of Caroline that became its own name
- The 2009 Coraline film was the first stop-motion film shot natively in 3D
- Coraline entered the US top 1000 girls names in 2009, the year of the films release
Coraline in Other Languages
French
Coralie
German
Coraline
Italian
Coralia
Spanish
Coralina
Portuguese
Coralina
Popularity Over Time
#721
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Coraline
C
Coraline (Gaiman character origin)
Writer
1960
Neil Gaiman created Coraline after his daughters name Caroline was misspelled — he kept the typo
C
Coraline Jones Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Neil Gaimans 2002 novella and 2009 film Coraline, a courageous girl who explores a dangerous parallel wor...
Protagonist of Neil Gaimans 2002 novella and 2009 film Coraline, a courageous girl who explores a dangerous parallel world
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Compare Coraline with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #721
- Total SSA Count
- 390
- Cultural Origins
- English French American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cora
Coral
Lina
Corrie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Coraline
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Coraline
What does the name Coraline mean?
"coral, sea jewel" (from Latin corallium). "maiden of the coral sea" (from French/Latin). Coraline is a French variant of the name Coralie, derived from the Latin corallium meaning coral — the precious marine substance formed by sea creatures. The name evokes the rich pink-red color and organic beauty of coral reefs. While Coralie has been used in France for centuries, Coraline gained its distinctive identity through Neil Gaimans 2002 novella.
What is the origin of the name Coraline?
Coraline has Latin corallium, French/Latin, English, French, and American origins. In Latin corallium, it means "coral, sea jewel". In French/Latin, it means "maiden of the coral sea".
Is Coraline a boy or girl name?
Coraline is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Coraline?
Coraline is pronounced k-AWR-uhl-eyen.
How popular is the name Coraline?
Coraline is currently ranked #721 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Coraline?
Common nicknames for Coraline include Cora, Coral, Lina, and Corrie.
What are good middle names for Coraline?
Popular middle name pairings include Coraline Jane, Coraline Rose, Coraline Mae, Coraline Faye, Coraline Pearl, Coraline Wren, and Coraline Sage.
What are good sibling names for Coraline?
Names that pair well with Coraline as siblings include Wybie, Pearl, Iris, August, Violet, Jasper, and Opal.
How many syllables does Coraline have?
Coraline has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Coraline a common or rare name?
Coraline is moderately common, ranked #721 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Coraline?
About the Name Coraline
Coraline is a girl name with English, French, and American origins . The name means "coral, sea jewel" in Latin corallium .
Coraline is currently ranked #721 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Coraline has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-AWR-uhl-eyen, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Coraline include Cora, Coral, Lina, and Corrie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Coraline include Cora, Coral, Coralie, Coralynn, Coralee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis