UK girl's name
Tora
A feminine Japanese name meaning "tiger".
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.
Tora is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Tora popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 7 births.
This profile covers 67 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1998 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 67 living people in the UK are called Tora. 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
- • Tora ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 7 girls were registered as Tora.
- • About 67 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tora as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2022
7 births
Estimated living
67
2026
Meaning
What does Tora mean?
The name Tora has its origins in various cultures and languages around the world. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "þora," which means "brave" or "daring." This name was commonly used among the Vikings and Norse people, particularly during the 8th to 11th centuries.
In Japanese culture, the name Tora is derived from the word "tora," which means "tiger." It is a popular name for boys and is often associated with strength, courage, and power. The tiger is a revered animal in Japanese mythology and folklore, symbolizing bravery and protection.
The name Tora can also be found in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. In this context, it is believed to be derived from the word "tara," which means "star" or "savior." This name has been mentioned in various Hindu scriptures and texts, often in reference to deities or revered figures.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tora dates back to the 9th century. Tora Hlodvirsson was a Norwegian Viking who lived during this time and was known for his exploits as a seafarer and warrior. Another notable figure was Tora Gudbrandsdatter, a Norwegian woman from the 13th century who played a significant role in the country's history.
In the 15th century, Tora Valkendorff was a Danish noblewoman and courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Christina of Denmark. She was renowned for her intelligence and diplomatic skills.
During the 16th century, Tora Tegnér was a Swedish writer and poet who gained recognition for her literary works and contributions to Swedish literature. Her poetry often explored themes of love, nature, and personal experiences.
In the 19th century, Tora Almqvist was a Swedish writer and educator who advocated for women's rights and educational reforms. She was a pioneer in promoting equality and access to education for women in Sweden.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Tora. The name has transcended various cultures and periods, with its meanings ranging from bravery and strength to celestial and divine associations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tora over time
The chart below shows babies named Tora registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Tora, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tora by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tora 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 | #4061 | 21 | 4 |
| 2010s | #5238 | 21 | 6 |
| 2000s | #4584 | 20 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2701 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Tora
- Tia 15,569
- Thea 12,888
- Tilly 11,524
- Taylor 7,401
- Tegan 6,583
- Tabitha 6,462
- Talia 5,198
- Tara 5,114
- Tiffany 4,653
- Tallulah 4,442
- Tiana 3,570
- Tamara 3,405
FAQ
Tora: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tora in the UK right now?
In 2023, Tora was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tora most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 7 babies registered as Tora in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tora?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "tiger".
How many people are called Tora in the UK?
A total of 67 babies have been registered as Tora across the 17 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.