Endora

Meaning & origin

Endora is a name that first entered the U.S. Social Security Administration's naming records in 1965, the same year it reached its peak usage, with a rank that did not place it in the top 1,000 names. Since that time, its trajectory has been stable but extremely rare, with no recent years showing notable uptake. The name's brief moment in the spotlight is almost certainly tied to the television series 'Bewitched,' which debuted in 1964 and featured a powerful witch named Endora. Despite its cultural association, the name has not seen a revival in later decades and remains one of the more obscure entries in the baby name landscape. No U.S. states have recorded Endora in significant enough numbers to appear in the top state lists, reflecting its nationwide scarcity. The etymology is debated, with some sources linking it to the biblical Endor, a place in ancient Canaan, but the direct connection is speculative. Parents selecting Endora today likely appreciate its rarity and distinctive, whimsical sound.

Endora appears to be a modern coinage, possibly inspired by the biblical place name Endor (from Hebrew עֵין דּוֹר 'Ein Dor, meaning 'spring of Dor') or by similar-sounding names like Andrea or Isadora. It gained brief attention after the 1964 premiere of the television sitcom 'Bewitched,' which featured a character named Endora, the mother of the protagonist. The name's usage peaked in 1965 and has remained rare since.