Corrie
Meanings & Origins
"circular hollow, cauldron (landscape feature)"
"diminutive of Cornelia (horn, strength)"
Popularity
Mockery Risk Analysis Premium
Surname Harmony Premium
Enter your surname above to see harmony analysis
“A warm vintage name with Dutch courage and Scottish highland roots”
Origin & Etymology
Corrie has two distinct origins. In Scottish Gaelic, coire means a circular hollow in a hillside or cauldron — the geographic term for the bowl-shaped depressions carved by glaciers in highland terrain. As a personal name, it has been used as a Scottish feminine name derived from this landscape term. In Dutch, Corrie is a diminutive of Cornelia (from the Latin cornu, meaning horn, used as a symbol of strength). Both paths lead to a warm, approachable nickname-style name.
Popularity Story
Corrie was most popular in the mid-20th century, particularly in the US, UK, and Netherlands. In the UK it is permanently linked to Coronation Street (nicknamed Corrie), Britain's longest-running soap opera. The name has declined since the 1980s but retains warm nostalgic appeal.
Cultural Significance
In the Netherlands, Corrie ten Boom — a watchmaker who hid Jewish families during the Holocaust and later wrote The Hiding Place — made the name synonymous with courage and faith. Her story remains one of the most powerful Christian testimonies of the 20th century.
Fun Facts
- Corrie ten Boom hid Jewish refugees in a secret room behind a bookcase during WWII
- Coronation Street — called Corrie by fans — has aired continuously since December 9, 1960
- In Scottish geography, a corrie is the bowl-shaped hollow left by a glacier — iconic features of the Highlands