Kora
KAW-ruh
Kora is a variant of Cora, from the Greek korē meaning “maiden.” In Greek mythology Korē was another name for Persephone, the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. The K spelling is a more modern anglicised form.
The name Cora was popularised in the English-speaking world by James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans (1826). The Kora variant emerged later as part of the broader K-spelling trend in American naming.
Kora peaked at No. 465 in 2022 with 682 births. In 2024 it stands at No. 490 with 621 births, still near its recent high.
What the name Kora means
The name benefits from the popularity of its near-relatives: Cora (top 100 in the US), Nora, and Dora all share the same -ora ending, making this sound family extremely comfortable to modern ears.
Two syllables — KOR-ah — with stress on the first beat. The name is short, clear, and easy to pronounce in any language, with a soft feminine close.
Parents drawn to Kora often want a name with genuine Greek mythological roots that feels shorter and simpler than many classical names.
Variants include Cora (the standard spelling), Korra (the animated character from The Legend of Korra), and the extended form Corinna. All share the same Greek origin.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Kora
Kora - similar names
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