Rising since 1987, #1,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Sora since 1972
Babies named Sora per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 61 | 0 |
| 1980s | 98 | 0 |
| 1990s | 147 | 0 |
| 2000s | 327 | 63 |
| 2010s | 602 | 258 |
| 2020s | 564 | 342 |
Meaning & origin
Sora is a Japanese unisex name meaning "sky", first recorded in U.S. data in 1972. Its use remained rare for decades, but began a steady climb in the late 1980s. By 2025, it ranked 1,942th nationally with approximately 1 in 16,235 newborns receiving the name. It reached its peak popularity in 2023, reflecting increased interest in short, vowel-ending names with cross-cultural appeal. The name is most common in Colorado, New Jersey, and California, states with diverse populations and openness to international names. Sora's rise aligns with growing appreciation for Japanese culture, though it remains a distinctive choice.
Sora is a unisex name of Japanese origin, written with the character 空 (sora) meaning "sky". It may also be written with 天 (sora, "heaven") or other characters. The name has been common in Japan for centuries, but gained international recognition through modern media. Outside Japan, it is sometimes used as a variant of the Indian name Sora or as a modern invention.
Where Sora is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sora” around the world
Where Sora lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: So, Soso
Sibling names for Sora
Names that share Sora's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aoi, Yuki, Hana, Rin, Mina, Akira, Ima, Kairi, Kaori, Midori, Akina, Ayari, Ayumi, Hinata, Inari, Kaida, Kana, Maika, Mana, Mirai, Rinoa, Satori, Saya, Tomiko, Yui, Aika, Ayame, Ayane, Chisa, Gitel, Hikari, Jinora, Kaede, Katori, Kiko, Masa, Misa, Misaki, Nakaya, Nanami, Nene, Quorra, Riko, Rukia, Sumi, Syrai, Umi, Yukari, Akeira, Akita, Aoki, Asami, Asuka, Ayomi, Chiyo, Daiya, Emiri, Hanya, Harue, Izumi, Kamiko, Kida, Kiori, Mayu, Namine, Nao, Omeka, Reika, Satsuki, Sayori, Seira, Shima, Tamaka, Yori, Yurika
Brothers: Haru, Riku, Kaito, Ren, Daiki, Aizen, Akari, Kota, Mendel, Raiden, Ronin, Akai, Bora, Hiro, Rai, Sakai, Shmiel, Shun, Takota, Tidus, Daichi, Fishel, Kanon, Kazuki, Kenshin, Kirin, Mako, Roxas, Sekai, Shota, Taiga, Taiki, Taiyo, Taji, Yuji, Yuuki, Hikaru, Iktan, Mamoru, Asahi, Denahi, Goku, Hajime, Haruki, Iori, Jiren, Minato, Mori, Morio, Seiya, Shogo, Yojan
