Fun Facts About the Name Bora
- 635 babies named Bora: U.S. records list 635 babies given the name Bora from 1880 through 2025. Even 213 girls received the name Bora - about 1 girl for every 2 boys.
What Does the Name Bora Mean?
Bora is a given name with several independent origins. In Albanian, it is a feminine name meaning "snow," from the Albanian noun borë (definite form bora). In Turkish, it is a masculine name meaning "storm" or "squall," from the Turkish word bora. In Korean, it is a feminine name meaning "purple" or "violet," from the native Korean color word 보라 (bora). In Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian, Bora is a masculine name normally used as a short form of compound names containing the Slavic element bor, such as Borislav or Borivoje; that element is often explained as "battle," though it can also mean "pine" in some Slavic words, so Bora's meaning depends on the full name. In Hungarian, Bora is a feminine diminutive of Borbála, the Hungarian form of Barbara.
Bora Name History & Origins
Albanian Bora comes directly from the common noun for snow. The indefinite form borë and definite form bora are part of everyday Albanian, and the name is used mainly in Albania and Kosovo. It is one of several Albanian given names taken from nature.
Turkish Bora is a masculine name taken from the Turkish noun bora, meaning a sudden strong wind, squall, or storm. The word is sometimes linked to the Adriatic bora, a cold northerly wind whose name goes back to Greek Boreas, the north wind. That connection is plausible but not certain for the Turkish word; in Turkish the name is simply associated with stormy weather.
Korean Bora is a female name from the native Korean word 보라 (bora), "purple" or "violet." Unlike many Korean given names that are formed from Sino-Korean hanja, this name can be written in pure Korean. It is used in South Korea and in Korean communities elsewhere.
In Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, and neighboring countries, Bora is a masculine given name. It is not a full compound name but a short form, or hypocoristic, of names such as Borislav, Borivoje, or Borut. These names contain the old Slavic element bor, which is usually connected with fighting or battle in personal names, though bor also means "pine" in several Slavic languages. The short form Bora therefore has no single independent meaning; it inherits its sense from the longer name.
Hungarian Bora is a feminine name used as a diminutive of Borbála, the Hungarian form of Barbara. In this use it is a familiar form rather than a name with its own separate etymology.
How Popular is the Name Bora?
Bora has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2005. Its best rank was #3,951 in 2005.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #7,555 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 2024 | #9,635 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #7,305 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2022 | #6,020 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 2021 | #5,985 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 2020 | #10,389 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 2019 | #7,416 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2018 | #11,582 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2017 | #16,287 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #7,661 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2015 | #9,041 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2014 | #13,300 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #14,914 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #12,402 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #12,348 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2009 | #12,625 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #17,971 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #12,861 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2003 | #12,618 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #11,974 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #9,795 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #5,891 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2024 | #6,869 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2023 | #6,945 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2022 | #8,404 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2020 | #7,097 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2019 | #4,986 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 2018 | #6,389 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2017 | #5,838 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2016 | #5,347 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2015 | #6,720 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2014 | #7,617 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2013 | #6,651 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2012 | #7,619 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #4,998 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 2010 | #6,397 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2009 | #7,281 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2008 | #5,521 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2007 | #9,022 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2006 | #5,336 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2005 | #3,951 | 23 | 0.0012% |
| 2004 | #4,622 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 2003 | #5,917 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2002 | #5,162 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2001 | #6,992 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2000 | #6,908 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #7,651 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1995 | #7,065 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #8,852 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #6,192 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #6,585 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #6,483 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #4,826 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #6,838 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #5,868 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #4,601 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1983 | #5,563 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #5,077 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #5,567 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Bora Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You can go to great heights and equally great depths. You are emotional and fixed in your opinions. You are hospitable, sentimental, often psychic, sometimes moody. You are ruled by love and the lack of it and feel a need to be encouraged and appreciated. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Bora's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Bora's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.