Kora
Kora Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
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Meaning of Kora: Kora is a spelling variant of Cora, which derives from the ancient Greek kore (κόρη), meaning "maiden" or "girl." In Greek mythology, Kore was the original name of Persephone before her abduction by Hades; the name shifted to Persephone ("she who brings destruction") after she became Queen of the Underworld.
The Eleusinian Mysteries, one of the most significant religious rites of ancient Greece, centered on the myth of Kore/Persephone and her annual return from the underworld. The name therefore carries deep associations with seasonal cycles, death, and renewal in classical religious thought.
In English-speaking countries, Cora emerged as a given name during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, popularized partly by James Fenimore Cooper's character Cora Munro in The Last of the Mohicans (1826). The K- spelling Kora developed as an alternate form in American usage during the 20th century.
What Does Kora Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to SSA records, Kora ranked #490 for girls in the US as of 2024, with 621 births recorded that year. Combined SSA counts for Cora and Kora exceed 5,500 annual births, making the name cluster significantly more prevalent than the K spelling suggests alone.
Kora shows stronger regional preference in the American Midwest and Upper South compared to coastal states, where the traditional Cora spelling predominates. Both forms rank within the US top 500 as of 2024.
How Popular Is Kora?
Numerology & Symbolism of Kora
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Kora – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kora
What does the name Kora mean?
The name Kora originates in ancient Greek. Greek names frequently encoded concepts from mythology, philosophy, or the natural world, and many were preserved through the New Testament and early Christian tradition.
How popular is the name Kora in the United States?
According to SSA records, Kora ranked #490 for girl names in the United States, with 621 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Kora come from?
The name Kora comes from Greek. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of Greek-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.