Alternatives to Cora

A name that would lavish your child with adoration, a princess name--as in Princess Adora of She-Ra: Princess of Power.

This Scandinavian name was made famous in English-speaking countries as the name of the dog in the "Thin Man" series. Danish actress Asta Nielsen was another famous bearer. Asta can be considered as a short form of Astrid or Augusta.

Aura is a New Age-y word turned name turned contemporary slang for karm. In Greek and Roman mythology, Aura was the Titan of the breeze and the fresh, cool air of early morning. But at odds with her peaceful, well, aura, the mythological Aura is a tragic figure, ultimately transformed into a fountain by Zeus.

The goddess name Aurora has consistently been on the US popularity list since the nineteenth century, but has really taken off in the past 30 years. Aurora also enjoys remarkable international popularity, ranking in the Top 100 throughout the English-speaking world as well as in Italy, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and several other European and Latin American countries.

"Bore" and "boring" are teasing possibilities outside of Czechia and Albania. Thora, Nora, and Flora recommended alternatives

Cara is a simple, sweet, Italian endearment that enjoyed its greatest popularity from the 1970s through the 1990s, reaching a high of Number 189 in 1977. Despite the rising celebrity of English model/actress Cara Delevingne, who played Enchantress in Suicide Squad, Cara dropped off the Top 1000 in the US in 2020, perhaps because it sounds too close to the dreaded Karen.

While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent years have seen it re-enter the Top 1000.

Cassia is related to the cassia tree, which has yellow flowers and produces a spice that can be a substitute for cinnamon. Keziah, the name of Job’s daughter in the Old Testament, derives from the name of the plant as well. Cassia also has ties to the Ancient Roman name Cassius, an Ancient Roman family name meaning "hollow."

Chara is the name of a star in a constellation that represents hunting dogs, recently named as one of the most likely to host extraterrestrial life. Also, Chara is a variation of both Sarah and Charlotte.

Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.

Chiara is a lovely and romantic Italian name that's familiar but not widely used here: a real winner. You might consider Chiara instead of Claire, Clara, Cara, or even Keira.

Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.

Ciara is very popular in Ireland, more familiar here as the Anglicized Kiera or Keira. The uninitiated will tend to pronounce Ciara as the Italian Chiara, a form of Claire—kee-AHR-a or even see-AHR-a, like the American singer-songwriter Ciara. In the US, Ciara peaked in 2005, when it was the Number 150 name; it's since fallen down to Number 882.

Cindra is a feminine name that likely developed as a creative variant of Cindy or Cynthia. The original name Cynthia derives from Greek mythology, referring to the goddess Artemis who was born on Mount Cynthus. The addition of the '-ra' ending gives Cindra a more elaborate, melodic quality compared to the diminutive Cindy. Cindra remains uncommon in English-speaking countries, never having achieved widespread usage. This rarity makes it distinctive while still being recognizable and intuitive to pronounce. The name carries a subtle poetic quality with its mythological connections and flowing sound. For parents seeking an uncommon name with familiar roots, Cindra offers both uniqueness and accessibility.

Clara is a strong, lovely girls' name that's always ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names but has been climbing since the turn of this century. It now ranks right around Number 100, making it a modern classic that's neither too popular nor unfamiliar.

Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.

Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.

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.

Clora is a feminine name with Latin roots, likely derived from 'chloros' meaning 'green' or 'pale green,' which has connections to flora and growth. It can be considered a variant of Clara or Chloris, the latter being the Greek goddess of flowers. Historically, Clora saw modest usage in the United States particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but has since become quite rare. The name has a vintage charm that aligns with the renewed interest in rediscovering classic names from previous generations. With its soft sounds and botanical associations, Clora offers a delicate alternative to more common flower-inspired names. Though uncommon in contemporary use, it might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical presence, natural connections, and a gentle, feminine quality that remains distinctive without being difficult to pronounce.

Corabella is a feminine compound name combining Cora (meaning 'maiden' or 'heart' from Greek 'kore') with the popular element 'bella' (meaning 'beautiful' in Italian and Latin). This melodious creation blends classical elements into a name that feels both vintage and freshly invented. Though rare in official records, Corabella represents the modern trend of combining shorter traditional names with romantic suffixes. The name evokes imagery of beauty and innocence, with its flowing four-syllable structure creating a musical quality when spoken. While not historically established as a traditional name, Corabella appeals to parents seeking something distinctive with recognizable elements and a vintage, romantic aesthetic reminiscent of the Victorian era's elaborate naming traditions.