Fun Facts About the Name Tora
- More than 1 thousand babies named Tora: U.S. records list 1,016 babies given the name Tora from 1880 through 2025. Even 26 boys received the name Tora - about 1 boy for every 38 girls.
What Does the Name Tora Mean?
Tora has two independent origins. As a Japanese name it is written with the kanji 虎 or 寅 and means "tiger." 虎 is the usual character for the animal, while 寅 is the third earthly branch of the Chinese zodiac, associated with the tiger; both are read tora in Japanese.
As a Scandinavian feminine name, Tora comes from Old Norse Þóra, Latinized as Thora. It is usually derived from the element Þór-, the name of the god Þórr (Thor), which comes from Proto-Germanic *Þunraz, "thunder." The literal root sense is "thunder," while in name use it is associated with Thor. The precise formation is uncertain: it may be a short form of a longer compound name beginning with Þór- rather than a separate word.
Tora Name History & Origins
The Japanese name Tora comes from the Japanese word for "tiger." It appears in Japanese personal names, often as part of longer names such as Torajirō or Toraichi, and also as a standalone name. The tiger is one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and the earthly branch 寅 is read tora in Japanese. The character 虎 appears in historical Japanese names; for example, the Sengoku-period daimyo Ii Naotora bore a name that included it.
In Scandinavia, Tora developed from the Old Norse feminine name Þóra. The name is recorded in medieval Norse literature; one well-known bearer is Þóra Borgarhjǫrtr, the first wife of Ragnar Lodbrok in Ragnars saga loðbrókar. The Latinized spelling Thora was used in later Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish records. Tora is the modern Swedish and Norwegian spelling, while Thora also remains in use. In English-speaking countries, Tora appears as a feminine given name, often as a variant of Thora or as a Japanese name.
How Popular is the Name Tora?
Tora 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 1976. Its best rank was #1,683 in 1898.
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 | #10,839 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 2024 | #10,991 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #13,332 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2022 | #5,616 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 2021 | #8,416 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2020 | #8,903 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2019 | #8,564 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2018 | #7,381 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2017 | #8,737 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2016 | #16,078 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #6,427 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2013 | #14,480 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #8,188 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2011 | #12,069 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #7,855 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2009 | #13,598 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #10,038 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2007 | #12,600 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2006 | #12,358 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2005 | #10,866 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2004 | #9,228 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2003 | #13,751 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #12,121 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #15,218 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #10,690 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | #11,323 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #7,080 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1997 | #13,618 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #10,502 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1995 | #7,486 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1994 | #7,578 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1993 | #6,247 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1992 | #10,418 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #7,400 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1990 | #6,847 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1989 | #7,999 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1988 | #8,356 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1987 | #8,731 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #7,101 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1985 | #9,244 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #5,878 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1983 | #5,803 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1982 | #5,192 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1981 | #4,951 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 1980 | #5,527 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1979 | #3,537 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 1978 | #2,429 | 37 | 0.0024% |
| 1977 | #2,160 | 44 | 0.0029% |
| 1976 | #1,789 | 53 | 0.0036% |
| 1975 | #4,354 | 15 | 0.0010% |
| 1974 | #2,912 | 25 | 0.0017% |
| 1973 | #2,450 | 31 | 0.0021% |
| 1972 | #2,741 | 26 | 0.0017% |
| 1971 | #2,170 | 38 | 0.0023% |
| 1970 | #2,570 | 29 | 0.0017% |
| 1969 | #2,699 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 1968 | #3,599 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 1967 | #4,951 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1965 | #3,534 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1964 | #5,439 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1963 | #7,577 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1962 | #6,518 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1961 | #5,801 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #7,135 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1957 | #4,517 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1956 | #4,446 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1955 | #6,654 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1954 | #4,618 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1950 | #3,943 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1948 | #5,196 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1936 | #4,801 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1927 | #5,541 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1917 | #5,250 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1914 | #3,572 | 6 | 0.0008% |
| 1910 | #2,379 | 6 | 0.0015% |
| 1898 | #1,683 | 6 | 0.0023% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | #5,715 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1975 | #5,412 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1973 | #5,044 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #3,939 | 8 | 0.0005% |
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.
Explore More Lists with Name Tora
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with T
Short Girl Names That Start with T
How the Name Tora Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. 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.
✦ Tora's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Tora's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.