Rising since 1985, #490 for girls today.
Popularity of Kora since 1942
Babies named Kora per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 18 |
| 1970s | 55 |
| 1980s | 121 |
| 1990s | 419 |
| 2000s | 1,106 |
| 2010s | 4,092 |
| 2020s | 3,725 |
Meaning & origin
Kora, a stylish variant of Cora, has seen a steady climb in popularity since the 1980s, reflecting a broader trend toward K-initial names. In 2025, it ranked 490th with a 1-in-2,665 frequency, marking a significant rise from its earlier decades. The name reached its peak rank in 2022, and its trajectory shows consistent growth. Geographically, Kora has found particular favor in Alaska, North Dakota, and Maine, states often drawn to distinctive yet accessible names. Its meaning, tied to the Greek 'maiden', connects it to classical roots while its modern spelling gives it a fresh appeal.
Kora is most commonly considered a spelling variant of Cora, which derives from the Greek word 'kore' (κόρη), meaning 'maiden' or 'girl'. The name Cora gained popularity in the 19th century through literary use, particularly in James Fenimore Cooper's 1826 novel 'The Last of the Mohicans'. Kora likely emerged as a respelling influenced by the K-initial trend and has risen in usage since the 1980s.
Where Kora is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kora” around the world
Where Kora lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
New Zealand
36
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kori, Koko
Sibling names for Kora
Names that share Kora's style, for a brother or sister.
