Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zora
GirlSlavic· “dawn”
- Meaning
- dawn
- Origin
- Slavic
- Pronunciation
- ZOR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #969
- US babies 2025
- 264
- Best rank
- #258 (1884)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Zora
Zora is a Slavic name that means “dawn”.
Zora comes from the Slavic word for dawn and is used in countries such as Croatia, Serbia, Czechia and Slovakia. It is also known through the writer Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God and a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Zora has a bright, confident sound and a vintage yet modern feel. It suits families who like short names with a strong literary and cultural presence. It is easy to pronounce and pairs well with many middle names. Zo is a possible nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Zorah.
Popularity over time
Zora 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 67 different years. Its best national rank was #258 in 1884, and the most babies received it in 2019, when 353 were named Zora. In 2025, 264 babies were named Zora, and it ranked #969 nationally. That is 89% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #616 in 1920, #1,719 in 1950, #5,542 in 1980, #3,981 in 2000, #2,219 in 2010, and #969 in 2025. Of the 10,202 US girls named Zora since records began, 18% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,662 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Paisleigh, Aubriella, Rosalee, Kaisley, and Avalynn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zora ranked highest in District of Columbia, Maryland, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #92 | 9 |
| Maryland | #510 | 11 |
| Oregon | #547 | 7 |
| Missouri | #639 | 9 |
| Georgia | #675 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Zora over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Zora is usually pronounced ZOR-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ra”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Zorah.
Middle names for Zora
A few middle names that flow with Zora: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zora
Similar names
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MEER-uh
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KEER-uh
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Kiara Girl
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Kira Girl
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Zara Girl
ZAHR-uh
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Mara Girl
MAHR-uh
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Kora Girl
KAWR-uh
“maiden” · Greek
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Zahra Girl
ZAH-ruh
“flower; radiant” · Arabic
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Lyra Girl
LY-ruh
“lyre” · Greek
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Yara Girl
YAH-ruh
“uncertain; several possible sources” · Portuguese
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Lists that include Zora
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zora mean?
Zora is a Slavic name that means “dawn”.
What is the origin of the name Zora?
Zora has Slavic roots. Zora comes from the Slavic word for dawn and is used in countries such as Croatia, Serbia, Czechia and Slovakia.
Is Zora a popular name?
Yes. Zora ranked #969 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Zora a boy or girl name?
Zora is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Zora over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Zora?
Zora is usually pronounced ZOR-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