The first name Ora
A unisex name from Latin.
2 syllables Unisex
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
* (given name): First appeared in the 19th century when similar sounding names like Cora, Dora and Nora were in fashion. Possibly shortened from Aurelia, sometimes spelled Ora Lee, or, Aura Lea, in the American civil war song. * (Italian commune): Borrowed from Italian Ora
Ora is a short form of
.A form of Aura.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 7 girls were named Ora, making it the 3,333rd most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 2016, with 9 births (#2,757).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Ora with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Ora at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 40 girls born in the United States were named Ora, the 3,760th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1919, when 920 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Ora
4 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Tora Torbergsdatter11t-century Norwegian royal consort, born 1025
- Ora CarewAmerican actress (1893–1955)
- Ora KedemAustrian-Israeli chemist, 1924–2026
- Ora WashingtonAmerican tennis player (1898–1971)
More Latin unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Ora mean?
- * (given name): First appeared in the 19th century when similar sounding names like Cora, Dora and Nora were in fashion. Possibly shortened from Aurelia, sometimes spelled Ora Lee, or, Aura Lea, in the American civil war song. * (Italian commune): Borrowed from Italian Ora
- What is the origin of the name Ora?
- * (given name): First appeared in the 19th century when similar sounding names like Cora, Dora and Nora were in fashion. Possibly shortened from Aurelia, sometimes spelled Ora Lee, or, Aura Lea, in the American civil war song. * (Italian commune): Borrowed from Italian Ora
- How popular is the name Ora?
- In 2025, 7 girls born in England and Wales were named Ora, ranking 3,333rd. Its peak was 2016, with 9 births.
- Is Ora a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 44,894 US babies named Ora since 1880, 87% were girls and 13% boys.
- When was Ora most popular?
- 1919 in the United States, when 920 babies were named Ora, its highest rank at 203rd.
- What name is Ora a form of?
- Ora is a form of Aura.