Coral is a unique and captivating female given name of Latin origin. It comes from the word "coral," which refers to the vibrant red or pink marine polyps that form colonies in warm seas. This connection gives the name Coral an association with warmth, beauty, and the natural world.
The use of Coral as a given name is not widespread, but it has been recorded throughout history. In the 19th century, there were several women named Coral in England, and it was also used occasionally in other English-speaking countries like Australia and the United States during that time period.
One notable historical figure with the name Coral is Coral Ballinger, a British actress who was active in the late 1800s. She was known for her roles in comedic plays and farces, often playing character parts such as landladies or servants.
The name Coral has gained some popularity in recent years due to its unique sound and association with the vibrant colors of coral reefs. However, it remains relatively rare compared to more common names like Emily, Olivia, or Ava.
In terms of naming trends, Coral is often associated with other marine-themed names such as Marina, Sea, or even names derived from gemstones like Ruby or Pearl. It can also be paired well with middle names that have a similar nautical or nature-inspired theme, such as Ocean, Wave, or Reed.
Overall, Coral is an intriguing and distinctive female given name with a fascinating origin story rooted in the beauty of marine life. While not widely used, it offers parents looking for a unique name an opportunity to bestow a meaningful and captivating moniker upon their child.
The name Coral has been a part of the United States birth records since at least 1881, with an initial record of 8 births that year. The popularity of the name varied over the years, with some peaks and valleys in its usage.
From 1881 to 1920, the number of babies named Coral ranged from a low of 9 births in 1901 to a high of 56 births in 1922. The average number of births per year during this period was approximately 34.
The name Coral experienced a significant increase in popularity starting in the mid-20th century. In 1957, there were 102 births, marking the first time the name reached triple digits. This trend continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with the highest number of births recorded during this period being 194 in 1977.
The popularity of the name Coral peaked in the late 1980s to early 1990s. In 1989, there were 123 births, and this number increased dramatically over the next few years, reaching a high of 224 births in 2004.
Since then, the popularity of the name Coral has fluctuated but remained relatively stable, with an average of around 150 births per year from 2007 to 2023. The most recent data available shows that there were 116 births in 2022 and 103 births in 2023.
In total, since 1881, there have been 10,761 babies named Coral born in the United States. This figure represents the cumulative number of births recorded for each year, from 1881 to 2023.