Coraline
Coraline is a girl name of French origin meaning “Coral, little heart”, pronounced KOR-uh-line. It ranked #683 in the United States in 2025, given to 414 babies, and peaked at #579 in 2015. Common nicknames: Cora, Cory, Lina.
How popular is Coraline in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Coraline mean, and where does it come from?
Coraline is a French elaboration of Coral, from the Latin corallium, with the -ine ending that also makes Céline and Amandine; some read it instead as a blend of Cora, the Greek kore, "maiden." It existed quietly in France for a century before Neil Gaiman gave it to the girl who finds the other mother behind the little door — a name he has said began as a typo for Caroline. The 2002 novel and the 2009 stop-motion film did the rest: Coraline entered the American top thousand in 2012 and has held its place since.
How is Coraline used around the world?
Coraline is used in 1 languages worldwide, with 7+ international variants.
TypeFemale given name
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
What are the nicknames for Coraline?
Famous People Named Coraline
- Coraline Ada Ehmke — American software engineer and author of the Contributor Covenant
- Coraline Vitalis — French Olympic fencer
Similar Names to Coraline
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Sibling Name Ideas for Coraline
Looking for names that pair well with Coraline? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Coraline mean?
Coraline is a girl name of French origin meaning "Coral, little heart." Coraline is a French elaboration of Coral, from the Latin corallium, with the -ine ending that also makes Céline and Amandine; some read it instead as a blend of Cora, the Greek kore, "maiden." It existed quietly in France for a century before Neil Gaiman gave it to the girl who finds the other mother behind the little door — a name he has said began as a typo for Caroline.
How do you pronounce Coraline?
Coraline is pronounced KOR-uh-line. Common variations include Coralline, Coralie, Coraleen.
Is Coraline a girl name?
Yes, Coraline is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Cora, Cory, Lina.