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Korben

Boy Name #2,748 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A sleek sci-fi spin on the Old French name for raven

American English Modern Western
Modern Bold Unique Playful

Meaning & Origin

"raven, dark one"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
"of the crow, raven-haired"
Origin: Latin
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly associated with Korben Dallas, the protagonist of the 1997 sci-fi film The Fifth Element

The Story of Korben

Korben is a variant spelling of Corbin, which derives from the Old French corbin or corbeau, meaning raven — from the Latin corvus (raven or crow). The raven has been a powerful symbol across cultures, from the Norse god Odin's ravens Huginn and Muninn to Edgar Allan Poe's poem. The Korben spelling gained cultural traction through the 1997 Luc Besson film The Fifth Element.

Korben saw a spike in use following the release of The Fifth Element (1997), in which Bruce Willis played the heroic taxi driver Korben Dallas. The unique spelling distinguishes it from the more traditional Corbin, appealing to parents who want familiar sounds with a distinctive look.

Korben Dallas is one of Bruce Willis's most iconic roles — a burned-out New York City cab driver in the 23rd century who unexpectedly becomes the world's savior. The character's cool, reluctant heroism made the name memorable. Ravens also hold deep significance in Celtic, Norse, and Native American mythologies.

Fun Facts

  • Korben Dallas, played by Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element (1997), is one of cinema's most beloved reluctant heroes
  • The raven (corvus) from which Corbin derives has been a symbol of wisdom, prophecy, and the afterlife across dozens of cultures
  • Corbin in its traditional spelling was a medieval English and French surname before becoming a given name

Korben in Other Languages

French Corbin
German Korben
Spanish Corbin

Famous People Named Korben

C

Corbin Bleu

Actor

1989

American actor and dancer, known for High School Musical (2006)

K

Korben Dallas Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element (1997), played by Bruce Willis — a 23rd century New York cab driver who sa...

Protagonist of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element (1997), played by Bruce Willis — a 23rd century New York cab driver who saves the world

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,748
Total SSA Count
47
Cultural Origins
American English Modern Western
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Korb Kory

Pairs Well With

Korben James Korben Lee Korben Michael Korben Ray Korben Alexander

Sibling Names

Similar Names

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Korben

What does the name Korben mean?
"raven, dark one" (from Old French). "of the crow, raven-haired" (from Latin). Korben is a variant spelling of Corbin, which derives from the Old French corbin or corbeau, meaning raven — from the Latin corvus (raven or crow). The raven has been a powerful symbol across cultures, from the Norse god Odin's ravens Huginn and Muninn to Edgar Allan Poe's poem. The Korben spelling gained cultural traction through the 1997 Luc Besson film The Fifth Element.
What is the origin of the name Korben?
Korben has Old French, Latin, American, English, and Modern Western origins. In Old French, it means "raven, dark one". In Latin, it means "of the crow, raven-haired".
Is Korben a boy or girl name?
Korben is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Korben?
Korben is currently ranked #2748 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Korben?
Common nicknames for Korben include Korb and Kory.
What are good middle names for Korben?
Popular middle name pairings include Korben James, Korben Lee, Korben Michael, Korben Ray, and Korben Alexander.
What are good sibling names for Korben?
Names that pair well with Korben as siblings include Dallas, Leelo, Rhys, Zora, and Nova.
How many syllables does Korben have?
Korben has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Korben a common or rare name?
Korben is an uncommon name, ranked #2748 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Korben

Korben is a boy name with American, English, and Modern Western origins . The name means "raven, dark one" in Old French .

Korben is currently ranked #2,748 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Korben has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Korben include Korb and Kory. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Korben include Korbin, Korbyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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