"maiden, girl"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Kori
Does Kori flow with your last name?
A mythic maiden name with breezy 80s charm
American
Irish
Playful
Casual
Classic
Gentle
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"hollow, cauldron"
Origin: Irish/Gaelic
Language: English
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The Story of Kori
Kori is a spelling variant of Cori or Corey, with two possible origins. From the Greek Kore meaning maiden or girl — the name of Persephone before she became queen of the underworld — it carries mythological depth. Alternatively, from the Irish and Gaelic word coire meaning hollow, cauldron, or whirlpool, connecting it to the Celtic landscape. The K spelling emerged as a fresh variant in the late 20th century.
Corey and its variants were particularly popular in the 1980s and early 90s, boosted by Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. The name has since declined but retains nostalgic charm from that era.
The Greek root connects Kori to the myth of Persephone/Kore — daughter of Demeter, queen of the underworld, and goddess of spring — adding mythological depth. In Irish tradition, the coire (hollow or cauldron) is a sacred landscape feature in Celtic mythology.
Historical Record
Kori first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 14,560 babies have been named Kori in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kori is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #894 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kore is the Greek name for Persephone, goddess of spring and queen of the underworld
- Corey/Kori was a top-50 name in the US in the early 1980s
Kori in Other Languages
Greek
Κόρη
Irish
Coire
Spanish
Cori
Popularity Over Time
#894
Current Rank
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Kori with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #894
- Total SSA Count
- 299
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kor
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kori
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kori is also used as a boy name, ranked #4081.
View Kori as a boy name →Similar Names
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"clear, evident"
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Sanskrit origin
"dear to Saturn"
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"my God is abundance"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kori
What does the name Kori mean?
"maiden, girl" (from Greek). "hollow, cauldron" (from Irish/Gaelic). Kori is a spelling variant of Cori or Corey, with two possible origins. From the Greek Kore meaning maiden or girl — the name of Persephone before she became queen of the underworld — it carries mythological depth. Alternatively, from the Irish and Gaelic word coire meaning hollow, cauldron, or whirlpool, connecting it to the Celtic landscape. The K spelling emerged as a fresh variant in the late 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Kori?
Kori has Greek, Irish/Gaelic, American, and Irish origins. In Greek, it means "maiden, girl". In Irish/Gaelic, it means "hollow, cauldron".
Is Kori a boy or girl name?
Kori is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #894. As a boy name, it is ranked #4081. Kori is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kori?
Kori is currently ranked #894 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kori?
Common nicknames for Kori include Kor.
What are good middle names for Kori?
Popular middle name pairings include Kori Ann, Kori Marie, Kori Lynn, Kori Grace, Kori Lee, Kori Nicole, and Kori Jane.
What are good sibling names for Kori?
Names that pair well with Kori as siblings include Tori, Rory, Bryce, Derek, Morgan, Ashley, and Tyler.
How many syllables does Kori have?
Kori has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kori a common or rare name?
Kori is moderately common, ranked #894 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Kori?
About the Name Kori
Kori is a girl name with American and Irish origins . The name means "maiden, girl" in Greek .
Is Kori a boy or girl name? Kori is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #894 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,081. Kori is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kori is currently ranked #894 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kori has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kori include Kor. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kori include Kora, Korra, Koraline, Korbyn, Korie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis