"maiden"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Cora
Pronunciation: [ k-AWR-uh ]
Girl Name
#102 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
A Greek maiden's name with timeless vintage charm
English
American
Scottish
Irish
Vintage
Gentle
Classic
Elegant
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"heart"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
"just, righteous"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"heart"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Irish
The Story of Cora
Cora derives from the Greek name Kore, meaning 'maiden,' which was one of the epithets of Persephone, goddess of the harvest and queen of the underworld in Greek mythology. The name was introduced to widespread English use by James Fenimore Cooper in his 1826 novel 'The Last of the Mohicans,' where Cora Munro became one of American literature's earliest notable heroines.
Cora experienced a major revival in the 2010s, propelled by the beloved character Cora Crawley on the hit TV series 'Downton Abbey' (2010-2015). The show's nostalgic Edwardian setting made the name feel both vintage and aspirational, pushing it back into the top 100 in the US.
In Greek mythology, Kore/Persephone's dual role as both maiden of spring and queen of the underworld gives the name a depth that resonates across cultures. In American literary tradition, Cooper's Cora was notably progressive for her era, adding a layer of strength to the name's gentle sound.
Fun Facts
- Cora is one of Persephone's names in ancient Greek religion, associated with spring and renewal
- The name re-entered the US top 100 in 2013 after appearing on Downton Abbey
- James Fenimore Cooper's use of Cora in 1826 made it one of the first popular American literary names for women
Cora in Other Languages
Greek
Κόρα
Irish
Córa
French
Cora
Italian
Cora
Spanish
Cora
Famous People Named Cora
C
Cora Voss
Musician
1990
Contemporary folk and indie artist known for haunting vocals and introspective songwriting
C
Cora Coralina
Writer
1889
Beloved Brazilian poet and writer from Goiás whose work celebrates everyday life, women, and Brazilian culture
C
Cora Pearl
Other
1835
Famous 19th-century Parisian courtesan and entertainer of the Belle Epoque era
C
Cora Crawley Fictional
Other
Fictional Countess of Grantham in the TV series Downton Abbey, played by Elizabeth McGovern
C
Cora Munro Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of James Fenimore Cooper's 1826 novel The Last of the Mohicans
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #102
- Total SSA Count
- 2,570
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cori
Corie
Pairs Well With
Cora Jane
Cora Mae
Cora Louise
Cora Belle
Cora Anne
Cora Grace
Cora Pearl
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Cora is also used as a boy name, ranked #19709.
View Cora as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cora
What does the name Cora mean?
"maiden" (from Greek). "heart" (from Latin). "just, righteous" (from Hebrew). "heart" (from Celtic). Cora derives from the Greek name Kore, meaning 'maiden,' which was one of the epithets of Persephone, goddess of the harvest and queen of the underworld in Greek mythology. The name was introduced to widespread English use by James Fenimore Cooper in his 1826 novel 'The Last of the Mohicans,' where Cora Munro became one of American literature's earliest notable heroines.
What is the origin of the name Cora?
Cora has Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Celtic, English, American, Scottish, and Irish origins. In Greek, it means "maiden". In Latin, it means "heart". In Hebrew, it means "just, righteous". In Celtic, it means "heart".
Is Cora a boy or girl name?
Cora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #102. As a boy name, it is ranked #19709. Cora is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cora?
Cora is pronounced k-AWR-uh.
How popular is the name Cora?
Cora is currently ranked #102 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cora?
Common nicknames for Cora include Cori and Corie.
What are good middle names for Cora?
Popular middle name pairings include Cora Jane, Cora Mae, Cora Louise, Cora Belle, Cora Anne, Cora Grace, and Cora Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Cora?
Names that pair well with Cora as siblings include Hazel, Violet, Jasper, Emmett, Nora, August, and Clara.
How many syllables does Cora have?
Cora has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cora a common or rare name?
Cora is a popular name, ranked #102 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Cora
Cora is a girl name with English, American, Scottish, and Irish origins . The name means "maiden" in Greek .
Is Cora a boy or girl name? Cora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #102 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,709. Cora is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cora is currently ranked #102 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cora has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AWR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cora include Cori and Corie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cora include Coraline, Cordelia, Corinne, Cori, Coral . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.