Korina
KOH-REE-NAH
Korina is a variant spelling of Corinna, derived from the ancient Greek kore meaning maiden or girl. The name was most famously borne by the ancient Greek lyric poet Corinna of Tanagra, who was said to have competed with and even defeated Pindar in poetry contests. Korina carries this classical artistic heritage while its spelling gives it a softer, more contemporary feel.
At a glance
A Greek name meaning maiden, with ancient poetic roots through the lyricist Corinna of Tanagra and a fresh spelling that lifts it from the familiar.
Etymology & History
The name traces to the ancient Greek word kore, meaning maiden, young girl, or daughter. This root also gives English words such as Persephone (sometimes called Kore in myth) and the architectural term cornice (through a separate Latin path). The variant spelling with K rather than C reflects a direct transliteration of the Greek kappa, and gives the name a slightly more modern visual identity than the Latinate Corinna.
Cultural Significance
The ancient poet Corinna of Tanagra is the name's most celebrated historical bearer, and her legend has made it a name associated with literary gifts and artistic daring. In Ovid's love elegies, the speaker's lover is called Corinna, a pseudonym that embedded the name in Latin literary tradition as well. The name therefore bridges Greek and Roman cultural heritage. The variant Korina has gained ground in modern European countries, particularly in Greece itself, where the K spelling aligns with contemporary Greek romanisation.
Famous people named Korina
Corinna of Tanagra
An ancient Greek lyric poet from Boeotia, traditionally dated to the fifth century BC, who according to legend bested Pindar in poetic competition on multiple occasions.
Corinne Bailey Rae
A British singer-songwriter whose debut album in 2006 brought her international acclaim, known for her warm, soulful vocal style and thoughtful songwriting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Korina
Cora
“Maiden, heart”
Cora derives from the Greek Kore, meaning simply 'maiden' or 'girl,' a name also used for the goddess Persephone in her youthful aspect before she became Queen of the Underworld. The name entered German literary consciousness prominently through James Fenimore Cooper's 'The Last of the Mohicans,' widely read in 19th-century Germany, and was further popularised by German Romantic writers who appreciated its classical brevity and poetic ring. In the German tradition Cora is also associated with the heart, coeur in French cognate, lending it an emotional warmth that pairs with its mythological gravitas.
Corinna
“Maiden”
Corinna is derived from the Greek 'Korinna,' a diminutive of 'kore,' meaning maiden or young girl. The name was made famous in ancient Greece by the poetess Corinna, and in Renaissance Italy it became associated with beauty, poetry, and ideal womanhood.
Corinne
“Maiden; pure young woman”
Corinne is a French feminine name derived from the Greek 'Kore,' meaning 'maiden' or 'girl,' associated with Persephone in her aspect as the innocent young woman before her descent. The name was popularized in French culture through Madame de Stael's celebrated 1807 novel Corinne, ou l'Italie, which made the name a symbol of romantic genius and feminine artistic power.
Korinna
“maiden or young girl”
Korinna derives from the ancient Greek kore, meaning maiden, girl, or young woman, a word that also referred to the Kore, one of the names of Persephone. The name celebrates the beauty and vitality of youth and femininity. It was immortalized by Korinna of Tanagra, a lyric poet of the fifth century BCE whose surviving fragments reveal a gifted and distinctive poetic voice.
Where you'll find Korina
Korina shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.