The Floradoras
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You probably know Flora, Cora, and Aurora. But how about Fiora, Cleora, and Aulora? Here's the best of the lesser-used girls names that end with -ora.
- Isadora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of Isis"Description:
For a long time, Isadora has been overlooked in favor of Isabella, owing perhaps to its association with the tragic modern dancer, Isadora Duncan, or because parents would rather their daughter be a Bella than a Dora. Now, with Theodora back in the charts and vintage names in vogue, Isadora has been slowly gaining more attention over the last decade.
- Theodora
Origin:
Femeninization of Theodore, GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea.
- Elora
Origin:
English variation of Eliora, HebrewMeaning:
"my God is my light"Description:
While the etymology of the name is unclear, it's most likely a contraction of Eliora or Elnora. Despite the uncertain heritage, it's a winning construction, based on its El- prefix, the feminine three-syllable flow, and the a ending. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015, and by 2023, Elora was one of the fastest rising girl names.
- Lenora
Origin:
English, contracted form of LeonoraMeaning:
"light"Description:
A lovely (and uncommon) longer form for Nora, one of the most fashionable international nickname names around. Lenora fell off the US charts in the 70s, but just re-entered in 2022 as parents' love for short forms Leni and Nora is growing.
- Alora
Origin:
Variation of Eliora, Alara, Elara, or EloraMeaning:
"the Lord is my light; water fairy; hazelnut, spear"Description:
Alora combines a number of stylish elements: the pretty Al- beginning of Alice, Alessia, and Alma, the -ora ending of Aurora, Elora, and Nora, and a multicultural feel, owing to its various origins. A Top 250 name in the US and in England and Wales, around 1370 American babies received the name in a recent year.
- Zora
Origin:
Serbo-CroatianMeaning:
"dawn"Description:
Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
- Eleanora
Origin:
Latinate form of Eleanor, meaning unknownDescription:
Eleanor is back, Nora is back, and, as predicted, Eleanora is back too.
- Liora
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"light"Description:
A beautiful Hebrew name that would work perfectly for a child today.
- Eliora
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord is my light"Description:
A pretty and melodic name of Hebrew origin that combines the elements el referring to God, li meaning "for me", and or meaning "light". The name entered the UK Top 1000 for the first time in 2023, and it's easy to understand why. With its rich vowel sounds and playful elegance, Eliora shares the sounds of other popular choices like Eleanor, Eliana, Aurora, and Elodie, while also remaining distinctive.
- Pandora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"all gifted"Description:
Pandora has occasionally been used by the British gentry (for girls with brothers who might be called Peregrine) and is now starting to be heard in the US too: It was given to 34 baby girls last year.
- Dora
Origin:
Diminutive of Theodora and Isidora, GreekMeaning:
"gift"Description:
Dora is poised for a comeback, right behind Laura, Nora, Cora, and Flora. First-time parents who haven't watched cartoons in a couple of decades should be aware of the Dora the Explorer connection, which has its pluses and minuses.
- Kamora
Origin:
Variation of Kimora or Kamara, MalagasyMeaning:
"chameleon"Description:
Kamora may be a variation of Kamara, a Malagasy name from Madagascar with an unexpected animal meaning. Alternatively, it might be an invented name, inspired by the similar Kimora or Amora - in which case it could also mean "woods by the village" or "love".
- Thora
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"thunder goddess"Description:
Thora, related to Thor, is the ancient Norse thunder goddess name that's much softer and gentler than its meaning suggests. A noted bearer is actress Thora Birch.
- Honora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"woman of honor"Description:
Honora and Honoria are two ways of softening the severity of Honor, while retaining its righteous meaning. They were predominant until the Reformation, when the Puritans adopted the abstract virtue names, and were introduced to Britain by the Normans.
- Melora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"golden apple"Description:
Euphonic hybrid of the sounds of Melissa and Laura. Melora Hardin is an actress who was featured on The Office.
- Cleora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Cleora is a now-extinct name (there were no babies named Cleora recorded in the U.S. since 1982) that achieved some standing in the early 20th century thanks to the craze for all things Egypt-related. A range of Cleopatra diminutives, including Cleo, Cleora, Cleona, and Cleola, made the Top 1000 then as the ancient tombs were opened in Egypt.
- Meliora
Origin:
Latin, CornishMeaning:
"better; honey"Description:
Unusual and lush Roman name adopted, improbably, by the Puritans.
- Jora
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"autumn rain"Description:
Unique possibility for a girl born between September and November.
- Amora
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"love"Description:
Is Amora a real name? It made a strong entrance to the US Top 1000 in 2017 so it's one of the Spanish names for girls that is obviously catching on, perhaps thanks to its similarity to Amara, a multicultural name that's achieving widespread popularity here and abroad. Amora sounds like the Latinate amore and is one of the romantic names that mean love, familiar via the classic Dean Martin song That's Amore ("When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...). Amora also borrows something from Amanda, something from Maura, and makes an attractive choice no matter what its pedigree.
- Enora
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"honor"Description:
Unusual Honor or Nora alternative, but we prefer the originals.