NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Ora

An Italian feminine name derived from the Latin hora, meaning "time" or "hour".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Ora is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ora popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4056, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 9 births.

This profile covers 71 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2006 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 56% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Ora. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Ora ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 9 girls were registered as Ora.
  • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ora as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4056

2023

Births in 2023

5

Latest year

Peak year

2016

9 births

Estimated living

71

2026

Meaning

What does Ora mean?

The name Ora finds its origins in several languages and cultures across the globe. In Latin, it means "prayer" or "utterance," derived from the verb "orare," meaning "to speak" or "to pray." This connection to prayer and speech suggests the name's historical significance in religious and literary contexts.

Greek roots also play a role in the name's etymology. The word "hora" in Greek means "hour" or "time," indicating a potential association with temporal concepts or specific moments in history. Additionally, the name Ora bears resemblance to the Greek word "oros," meaning "mountain" or "boundary," possibly linking it to geographical or territorial references.

In Italian, the name Ora carries the meaning of "now" or "at present," reflecting a sense of immediacy and presence. This interpretation aligns with the name's potential use as a representation of a particular moment or period in time.

Historical references to the name Ora can be found in various ancient texts and scriptures. In the Bible, the name appears in the Book of Joshua, referring to a town in the territory of Judah. This biblical mention highlights the name's antiquity and potential religious connotations.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Ora was Ora Nazhuri, an Albanian author and poet who lived in the 16th century. She is renowned for her contributions to Albanian literature and for being one of the first known female writers in the region.

Another notable figure was Ora Pronobis (1902-1976), a Swedish author and journalist who wrote extensively about social issues and feminism. Her works shed light on the experiences of women in the early 20th century and played a significant role in promoting gender equality.

In the realm of music, Ora Burian (1859-1923) was a celebrated Romanian operatic soprano known for her powerful voice and dramatic performances. She graced the stages of renowned opera houses across Europe and left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.

The name Ora also holds historical significance in the realm of art. Ora Cogan (1914-2009) was an American painter and sculptor whose abstract works were widely exhibited and celebrated throughout her career. Her vibrant and expressive pieces continue to influence contemporary artists to this day.

Finally, Ora Wills (1882-1957) was a British archaeologist and Egyptologist who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Egyptian civilization. Her meticulous excavations and research shed light on the rich history and culture of the Nile Valley, expanding our understanding of this remarkable era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ora over time

The chart below shows babies named Ora registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Ora, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Ora
02579200620142023

Decades

Ora by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ora was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3766 23 4
2010s #4492 39 8
2000s #5273 9 3

Related

Names similar to Ora

FAQ

Ora: questions and answers

How popular is the name Ora in the UK right now?

In 2023, Ora was ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Ora most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 9 babies registered as Ora in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ora?

An Italian feminine name derived from the Latin hora, meaning "time" or "hour".

How many people are called Ora in the UK?

A total of 71 babies have been registered as Ora across the 15 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.