Holding steady, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Medora since 1885
Babies named Medora per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Medora's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 22 |
| 1890s | 47 |
| 1900s | 68 |
| 1910s | 131 |
| 1920s | 138 |
| 1930s | 77 |
| 1940s | 56 |
| 1950s | 59 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 35 |
| 1980s | 25 |
| 1990s | 32 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 18 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Medora is a rare literary name with a romantic pedigree. First recorded in 1885, it reached its peak rank of 11,932 that same year, with approximately 1 in 229,610 newborns receiving the name in 2025. The name shows stable, low-level usage over time, never experiencing a revival. Its origins trace to Lord Byron's 1814 poem 'The Corsair', where Medora is the devoted love interest of the pirate hero Conrad. The name likely owes its scattered historical use to Byron's popularity in the 19th century. While it has never appeared among the most popular names in any state, Medora retains a distinct, elegant charm for those seeking an uncommon name with literary associations.
Medora first appears as a name in Lord Byron's 1814 poem 'The Corsair', where it is the name of the hero's beloved. It may have been invented by Byron or derived from a place name. The name saw modest use in the late 19th century, especially in the United States, but has never been common.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dora, Meddy
Sibling names for Medora
Names that share Medora's style, for a brother or sister.
