"maiden, young woman"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Cori
Girl Name
#1,765 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A gentle classic with deep mythological roots
American
Irish
English
Modern
Playful
Gentle
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"from the hollow, dweller in the hollow"
Origin: Irish/Norse
Language: English
The Story of Cori
Cori is a feminine variant of Cora or Corey. Cora derives from the Greek Kore meaning 'maiden,' a name for Persephone in her role as daughter of Demeter before her abduction. Corey comes from the Irish/Norse surname O Comhraidhe or Norse korr (a hollow), meaning 'from the hollow.' Cori blends both traditions in a simplified modern spelling, popular as a feminine name since the 1970s.
Cori and its variants enjoyed popularity in the 1970s-1990s. The name is now considered warmly nostalgic — not dated enough to seem old-fashioned, but familiar enough to feel classic.
Kore (the Greek source) was the name of one of mythology's most powerful goddesses — Persephone, queen of the Underworld. Her annual return to earth brought spring, making her name synonymous with renewal and cyclical life.
Fun Facts
- Cori Gauff (nicknamed Coco) became one of tennis's brightest stars, winning the 2023 US Open at 19
- Kore/Persephone's myth was one of the most widely celebrated in ancient Greece — the Eleusinian Mysteries, held annually for 900 years, centered on her story
Cori in Other Languages
Greek
Kore
Irish
Cora
French
Cori
Spanish
Cori
Famous People Named Cori
C
Cori Gauff (Coco Gauff)
Athlete
2004
American professional tennis player, 2023 US Open champion, and one of the sport's top-ranked players
K
Kore (Persephone) Fictional
Other
In Greek mythology, Kore was Persephone's name as a maiden before becoming Queen of the Underworld
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,765
- Total SSA Count
- 114
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Co
Pairs Well With
Cori Lynn
Cori Ann
Cori Marie
Cori Lee
Cori Beth
Cori Jane
Cori Sue
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Cori is also used as a boy name, ranked #12093.
View Cori as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cori
What does the name Cori mean?
"maiden, young woman" (from Greek). "from the hollow, dweller in the hollow" (from Irish/Norse). Cori is a feminine variant of Cora or Corey. Cora derives from the Greek Kore meaning 'maiden,' a name for Persephone in her role as daughter of Demeter before her abduction. Corey comes from the Irish/Norse surname O Comhraidhe or Norse korr (a hollow), meaning 'from the hollow.' Cori blends both traditions in a simplified modern spelling, popular as a feminine name since the 1970s.
What is the origin of the name Cori?
Cori has Greek, Irish/Norse, American, Irish, and English origins. In Greek, it means "maiden, young woman". In Irish/Norse, it means "from the hollow, dweller in the hollow".
Is Cori a boy or girl name?
Cori is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1765. As a boy name, it is ranked #12093. Cori is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Cori?
Cori is currently ranked #1765 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cori?
Common nicknames for Cori include Co.
What are good middle names for Cori?
Popular middle name pairings include Cori Lynn, Cori Ann, Cori Marie, Cori Lee, Cori Beth, Cori Jane, and Cori Sue.
What are good sibling names for Cori?
Names that pair well with Cori as siblings include Tori, Lori, Kori, Rori, Allie, Bethany, and Casey.
How many syllables does Cori have?
Cori has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cori a common or rare name?
Cori is an uncommon name, ranked #1765 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cori
Cori is a girl name with American, Irish, and English origins . The name means "maiden, young woman" in Greek .
Is Cori a boy or girl name? Cori is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,765 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #12,093. Cori is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cori is currently ranked #1,765 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cori has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cori include Co. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cori include Cora, Coraline, Cordelia, Corinne, Coral . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.