"raven, dark one"
Korben
A sleek sci-fi spin on the Old French name for raven
Meaning & Origin
"of the crow, raven-haired"
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
Famous People Named Korben
Corbin Bleu
Actor
1989
American actor and dancer, known for High School Musical (2006)
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Korben
What does the name Korben mean?
What is the origin of the name Korben?
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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.