Coral
Primarily a girl's name of Latin origin with 10,870 recorded births. Also given to 191 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A census-designated place in McHenry County, Illinois, United States.
Coral is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin corallium, ultimately from the Greek korallion, referring to the beautiful marine organism that builds reefs — and the warm pinkish-orange color it creates. As a given name, Coral evokes the wonders of the ocean and the brilliant colors of tropical waters.
Over 10,870 U.S. births are recorded. Coral has a vivid, sun-warmed quality — the name of a color and a living structure simultaneously. It suits a girl with warmth and depth, like the reefs themselves.
EtymologyShow more
Coral is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Latin naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Coral creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Coral was #1037 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1893, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 584 | #1759 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,743 | #1349 | — |
| 2000s | 1,832 | #1239 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 1,778 | #1053 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 910 | #1421 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 553 | #1807 | — |
| 1960s | 582 | #1588 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 754 | #1165 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 472 | #1219 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 432 | #1091 | — |
| 1920s | 442 | #1166 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 333 | #1110 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 160 | #955 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 179 | #721 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 116 | #639 | — |
The Story of Coral
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2004, Coral is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Coral are most likely born between 1994 and 2014.
How rare is Coral?
Only about 1 in every 34,286 babies born in 2024 was named Coral — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 1,832 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Coral by the numbers
- Would fill 226 school buses
- Meeting one Coral per day would take 29.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(144 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 105 | #1893 |
| 2023 | 105 | #1889 |
| 2022 | 116 | #1775 |
| 2021 | 130 | #1614 |
| 2020 | 128 | #1623 |
| 2019 | 183 | #1269 |
| 2018 | 155 | #1426 |
| 2017 | 160 | #1423 |
| 2016 | 202 | #1219 |
| 2015 | 201 | #1227 |
| 2014 | 208 | #1179 |
| 2013 | 163 | #1405 |
| 2012 | 165 | #1399 |
| 2011 | 149 | #1500 |
| 2010 | 157 | #1446 |
| 2009 | 151 | #1512 |
| 2008 | 161 | #1462 |
| 2007 | 178 | #1358 |
| 2006 | 211 | #1156 |
| 2005 | 210 | #1122 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Coral as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Coral has also been given to 191 boys in the U.S. since 1916.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coral a boy's or girl's name?
When was Coral most popular?
How popular is the name Coral?
Can Coral be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024