What does Cora mean?
From the Greek kore, “maiden,” an epithet of Persephone.
What does Elena mean?
A form of Helen, from the Greek, “torch” or “bright, shining light.”
Cora vs Elena
Which is more popular?
Elena is more popular than Cora today: about 4,836 US babies were given the name Elena in 2025, compared with 2,428 named Cora.
| Cora | Elena | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Maiden | Bright, shining light |
| Origin | Greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KOR-uh | eh-LAY-nuh |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2019 (3,602) | 2025 (4,836) |
| In 2025 | 2,428 | 4,836 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Cora
Elena
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Cora | Elena |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 16,879 | 26,192 |
| 2010s | 27,816 | 28,804 |
| 2000s | 7,745 | 15,699 |
| 1990s | 3,323 | 9,500 |
| 1980s | 2,224 | 6,300 |
| 1970s | 2,093 | 5,281 |
| 1960s | 3,393 | 4,744 |
| 1950s | 5,869 | 3,454 |
| 1940s | 8,749 | 2,247 |
| 1930s | 11,253 | 1,638 |
| 1920s | 16,161 | 2,169 |
| 1910s | 15,317 | 1,335 |
| 1900s | 10,372 | 376 |
| 1890s | 12,880 | 200 |
| 1880s | 11,954 | 74 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cora or Elena more popular?
Elena is more popular than Cora today: about 4,836 US babies were given the name Elena in 2025, compared with 2,428 named Cora.
What is the difference between Cora and Elena?
Cora means Maiden (Greek origin), while Elena means Bright, shining light (Greek origin).
Which name is older, Cora or Elena?
In US records, Cora first appears in 1880 and Elena in 1880, so Cora has the longer recorded history.