Koran

Meaning & origin

Koran is a rare American name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1975. It reached its peak popularity in 1999, when it ranked 5,422nd, but has since declined in use. As of 2025, the name ranks 8,910th, with approximately 1 in every 213,510 newborn boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 1998, reflecting a broader trend away from rare, phonetically constructed names. While the name's spelling coincides with the English transliteration of the Islamic holy book, there is no evidence of direct borrowing; rather, Koran likely emerged as a variant of the surname Coran or as a modern invention. The name has not historically been concentrated in any particular U.S. state, suggesting a scattered, occasional usage. Parents choosing Koran today often appreciate its simple, two-syllable sound and its similarity to other -an ending names such as Corbin or Ian.

Koran is likely a modern American coinage, possibly derived from the surname Coran or an invented variant of Corbin or Corey. Its appearance in U.S. birth records from 1975 onward coincides with the rise of invented and surname-based given names. Its occasional use in the United States has sparked speculation about a connection to the Quran, but the name almost certainly emerged independently as a phonetic spelling, with no direct linguistic link to Arabic.