Cora

Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned name -- Cora was a daughter of Zeus and Cora Munro is the heroine of The Last of the Mohicans (in fact James Fenimore Cooper probably invented it for his 1826 novel)-- that has been recently rejuvenated and strengthened by its contemporary-feeling simplicity.

Though she has never been completely out of favor, Cora has had her ups and downs. A Top 20 name in the 1880's, she had sunk to Number 876 in 1988, but then has gradually risen to its current ranking of 204, with every indication of climbing higher. A current inspiration is the appealing American-born Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey.

In classical mythology, Cora--or Kore-- was a euphemistic name of Persephone, goddess of fertility and the underworld.

While a complete name unto itself, some parents who love Cora may want to use it as a short form for such names as Cordelia or Coraline. Cora's fashionable sisters include Clara, Nora, Corinne, Corinna and Coralie.

The soft and gentle Cora is definitely a recommended choice.