Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ora
GirlHebrew, Latin· “light (Hebrew) or pray (Latin)”
- Meaning
- light (Hebrew) or pray (Latin)
- Origin
- Hebrew, Latin
- Pronunciation
- OR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,760
- US babies 2025
- 40
- Best rank
- #104 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1919
Meaning and origin of Ora
Ora is a Hebrew and Latin name that is usually said to mean “light (Hebrew) or pray (Latin)”.
Ora is a short name with more than one likely source. In Hebrew, ora means "light," and it is used in Israel as a given name. In Latin, ora is a form of the verb meaning "pray," and the phrase ora pro nobis, "pray for us," runs through Catholic prayers. English speakers also used Ora as a short form of names such as Aurora and Honora, and it was fairly common in the US in the late nineteenth century. It is said OR-uh. Because the roots are separate, the meaning depends on the family using it. Orah is an alternative spelling of the Hebrew name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Aura.
Popularity over time
Ora has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 83 different years. Its best national rank was #104 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1919, when 920 were named Ora. In 2025, 40 babies were named Ora, and it ranked #3,760 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #215 in 1920, #491 in 1950, #2,578 in 1980, #7,927 in 2000, #7,146 in 2010, and #3,760 in 2025. Of the 39,278 US girls named Ora since records began, 20% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 7,259 babies. Since 2010, 521 more have been named Ora.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Effie, Cecelia, Addie, Jewell, and Luella.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Ora over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Ora is usually pronounced OR-uh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with O and ends in “-ra”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Aura.
Middle names for Ora
A few middle names that flow with Ora: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ora
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Lists that include Ora
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ora mean?
Ora is a Hebrew and Latin name that is usually said to mean “light (Hebrew) or pray (Latin)”.
What is the origin of the name Ora?
Ora has Hebrew and Latin roots. Ora is a short name with more than one likely source.
Is Ora a popular name?
Not especially. Ora ranked #3,760 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ora a boy or girl name?
Ora is mainly a girl's name. About 95% of US babies named Ora over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Ora?
Ora is usually pronounced OR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings