![]() Portrait of a Woman with Coral Beads by Hans Canon. | |
Gender | Female |
---|---|
Origin | |
Word/name | Greek |
Meaning | Coral |
Other names | |
Related names | Coralie, Coraline |
Coral is a feminine given name derived from the precious coral used to make jewelry. The name is ultimately derived from the Greek word korallion [1] and the Latin coralium.
The name came into fashion in the Anglosphere in the late 1800s along with other gemstone names for girls. [2] Coral necklaces were traditionally worn by young children to protect them from illness. [3]
The name was at the height of popularity in most English-speaking countries in the late 1800s and the first half of the 20th century. Its greatest popularity in Spain was between 1980 and 2010. [4] The name has since declined in popularity but remains in regular use. In the United States, 128 newborn girls were named Coral in 2021. Name variants Coralie and Coraline are also in regular use for girls. [5]