Cora
Cora Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈkɔɹ.ə/
Meaning of Cora: The name Cora descends from the Greek Kore, meaning "maiden" or "daughter," a cult epithet of Persephone used in the Eleusinian Mysteries of ancient Attica. The root also yields Greek korithali, "maiden shoot," tied to springtime agricultural festivals that preceded the Christian era.
James Fenimore Cooper introduced Cora to English-language fiction in the 1826 novel The Last of the Mohicans, naming the elder Munro sister Cora. Therefore the form entered American naming stock through literature rather than church or court use, following the Romantic fashion for classical revival.
The etymology records notes that Cora may also function as a short form of Cordelia or Corinne, both of which share the Greek kore root through separate phonetic paths. Scandinavian and German parents sometimes spell the name Kora to preserve the hard consonant.
What Does Cora Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to SSA records, Cora ranked 14 in 1880 with 2,570 births, its first peak. The name fell off the top 500 between 1950 and 2010, then rebounded through the Victorian revival to rank 102 in 2024, its highest placement in ninety years.
Cultural momentum came from Lady Cora Crawley, the American-born matriarch of Downton Abbey played by Elizabeth McGovern from 2010 through 2015. Notably the show reintroduced dozens of Edwardian names, and Cora led the list, paired in maternity wards with Evelyn, Beatrice, and Pearl.
Common variants include Kora, Korra, and the extended Coraline, popularised by Neil Gaimans 2002 novella and the 2009 stop-motion film. Related forms span Cordelia, Corinne, Corinna, and the Italian Corina. Short forms include Co, Cory, and the Scandinavian diminutive Korina.
How Popular Is Cora?
Numerology & Symbolism of Cora
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Cora – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cora
What does the name Cora mean?
Cora derives from Ancient Greek korē, meaning maiden or girl. In Greek mythology, Korē was an alternate name for Persephone, goddess of the underworld and spring.
Is Cora a nickname for another name?
Cora functions both as a standalone given name and as a short form of Cornelia, Coralie, and Cordelia. In American usage since the 19th century, it has been used independently far more often than as a nickname.
How popular is Cora in the United States?
Cora ranked No. 102 among US girl names in 2024. The name was in the US top 10 in the 1880s, declined after 1930, and re-entered the top 100 around 2014 following the success of Downton Abbey.
Did Downton Abbey really revive Cora?
Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, was a main character in Downton Abbey (2010-2015). US Social Security statistics shows a measurable acceleration in Cora’s usage beginning around 2011, aligned with the series’ US broadcast.