Kore — Meaning, Origin & Everything to Know

A Greek name from Greek, Kore carries the meaning 'a maiden; (Persephone)'.

With Greek roots and the meaning 'a maiden; (Persephone)', Kore rewards a closer look. Because it rests on Greek rather than passing fashion, Kore carries a sense of history that many parents look for. As a daughter's name, Kore suggests elegance, kindness and gentle favour and travels comfortably across languages.

Quick facts about the name Kore
NameKore
MeaningKore means 'a maiden; (Persephone)', a sense it draws straight from its Greek roots
OriginGreek
LanguageGreek
GenderGirl
Numerology number22
PronunciationKO-re
Popularity tierTier 3

What Does the Name Kore Mean?

Kore means 'a maiden; (Persephone)', a sense it draws straight from its Greek roots.

Kore grew up inside the Greek tradition, where a name was meant to carry blessing and identity, not just sound. Across generations the meaning 'a maiden; (Persephone)' held firm while Kore passed through families, migration and changing fashion.

Modern parents tend to hear Kore as fresh rather than old-fashioned, with 'a maiden; (Persephone)' giving it a positive, aspirational edge. It is exactly this balance that lifted Kore into wider use in the 2010s.

Kore carries connotations of elegance, kindness and gentle favour; the Greek background gives that symbolism somewhere to stand.

Origin & Etymology of Kore

Greek · Greek

The roots of Kore lie in Greek, carrying the sense 'a maiden; (Persephone)'. Kore spread outward with migration, recognised now well beyond its Greek origin and worn across very different cultures.

Kore holds a meaningful place in the Greek tradition, its sense of elegance, kindness and gentle favour tied to long-standing cultural values.

How Greek names are chosen

Greek naming is close to an algorithm, which is why the same names recur down a family for centuries: the eldest son takes his paternal grandfather's name and the eldest daughter her paternal grandmother's, with later children drawing on the mother's side. The name is usually settled within the first week or ten days, the christening following at around forty days, and by custom the godfather has the final word. Because so many names are saints' names, most Greeks keep a name day — the saint's feast — as well as a birthday, and it is often the more sociable of the two. Regional patron saints show up plainly in the distribution: Spyridon clusters on Corfu, Gerasimos on Kefalonia, Dionysios on Zakynthos.

How to Pronounce Kore

KO-reBreak Kore into KO-re and it falls into place. From Greek roots: vowels are open and clearly sounded.

Popularity of the Name Kore

In terms of usage, Kore has held a steady place, most associated with the 2010s.

Personality Traits Associated with Kore

People often picture someone called Kore as kind and graceful. Some of that comes from the meaning 'a maiden; (Persephone)', and some from the simple shape of the sound. By the old name-to-character thinking, Kore signals elegance, kindness and gentle favour. None of this overrides the individual, of course — but if a name's signal matters to you, Kore reads warm rather than harsh, which is part of why it resonates.

Kore Numerology

The name Kore carries the numerology number 22.

The numerology number for Kore is 22: the Master Builder (master number) — grand vision made real. Tradition holds that a 22 shapes someone's natural motivations and way of relating to others. Paired with Kore's sense of 'a maiden; (Persephone)', that 22 gives numerology-minded parents extra to consider.

See the full meaning of number 22 on NumberAngel →

Kore & Zodiac Connection

Kore sits naturally alongside harmonious Libra and tender Pisces, signs whose temperament matches its mood.

Curious what your baby's zodiac sign reveals? Explore GetMyHoro →

Names Similar to Kore

Sibling Names That Go With Kore

Try the Sibling Name Generator →

Middle Names for Kore

Kore Claire · Kore Mae · Kore Elise · Kore Faith · Kore Rose · Kore Hope

Find more with the Middle Name Generator →

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Frequently Asked Questions

+What does the name Kore mean?

Kore means 'a maiden; (Persephone)'. It comes from Greek and is linked with elegance, kindness and gentle favour, which makes it a meaningful choice for a daughter.

+What is the origin of Kore?

Kore is Greek in origin, from Greek.

+What is the numerology number for Kore?

In Pythagorean numerology Kore reduces to 22 — the Master Builder (master number) — grand vision made real.

+Is Kore a popular name?

Kore has stayed steadily popular, with its strongest momentum in the 2010s.

+Is Kore suitable for any gender?

Kore is most often used as a girl's name, though naming is personal and the meaning 'a maiden; (Persephone)' suits any child.

+What names pair well with Kore for a sibling?

Names such as Lykourgos, Xander, Emma sit well beside Kore, sharing a complementary style.