Cora

Show your child how close they are to your heart with the girl's name, Cora. Greek and Latin in origin, Cora offers two meanings to explore with your kiddo one day. Leaning into its feminine vibe, Cora means "maiden" as a variation of the Greek Kore. Kore is also an epithet for the Greek goddess of spring and Queen of the Underworld, Persephone, adding a floral yet edgy touch. From its Latin roots, Cora carries the wholesome meaning "heart" as a form of Corinna and Cordis.

Cora's spelling is said to have been popularized by author James Fenimore Cooper, who wrote the novel The Last of the Mohicans. We love how The Bump user shelovesfrodo captures what makes Cora feel so sweet: "I think Cora is one of those old-fashioned names that are, in fact, timeless. Think of Elizabeth, Vivienne, and plenty of others. Such pretty, feminine names!"

Fun Facts About the Name Cora

• An 1880 icon: Cora peaked in popularity (so far) in the US in 1880. It was the 15th most popular girls' name and sat comfortably alongside other Victorian favorites like Minnie, Ida and Clara.
• A literary classic: Though Cora has ancient roots in Greece, its modern English usage was largely popularized by James Fenimore Cooper's classic 1826 novel, The Last of the Mohicans. He chose the name for his resilient heroine, Cora Munro.
• Cora's regal quality: Cora features in the TV shows Once Upon A Time as the name of the powerful Queen of Hearts and in Downton Abbey as the wealthy Countess of Grantham.