What does Cora mean?
From the Greek kore, “maiden,” an epithet of Persephone.
What does Genesis mean?
Genesis is the Greek word for “origin” or “beginning.”
Cora vs Genesis
Which is more popular?
Genesis is more popular than Cora today: about 3,527 US babies were given the name Genesis in 2025, compared with 2,428 named Cora.
| Cora | Genesis | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Maiden | Origin, beginning |
| Origin | Greek | Greek |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KOR-uh | JEN-uh-sis |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1964 |
| Peak year | 2019 (3,602) | 2016 (4,351) |
| In 2025 | 2,428 | 3,527 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Cora
Genesis
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Cora | Genesis |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 16,879 | 21,524 |
| 2010s | 27,816 | 40,524 |
| 2000s | 7,745 | 21,434 |
| 1990s | 3,323 | 8,685 |
| 1980s | 2,224 | 1,121 |
| 1970s | 2,093 | 278 |
| 1960s | 3,393 | 12 |
| 1950s | 5,869 | 0 |
| 1940s | 8,749 | 0 |
| 1930s | 11,253 | 0 |
| 1920s | 16,161 | 0 |
| 1910s | 15,317 | 0 |
| 1900s | 10,372 | 0 |
| 1890s | 12,880 | 0 |
| 1880s | 11,954 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cora or Genesis more popular?
Genesis is more popular than Cora today: about 3,527 US babies were given the name Genesis in 2025, compared with 2,428 named Cora.
What is the difference between Cora and Genesis?
Cora means Maiden (Greek origin), while Genesis means Origin, beginning (Greek origin).
Which name is older, Cora or Genesis?
In US records, Cora first appears in 1880 and Genesis in 1964, so Cora has the longer recorded history.