"maiden, young woman"
Cori
Does Cori flow with your last name?
A gentle classic with deep mythological roots
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Similar Names
Names Like Cori
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Cori
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from the hollow, dweller in the hollow"
Playground Safety
Similar to Cori
See all →What the Cori report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Cori the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Put Cori head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →See what Cori actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →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.
Historical Record
Cori first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 12,093 babies have been named Cori in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cori is past its peak , currently ranked #1,765 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cori
Cori Gauff (Coco Gauff)
Athlete
2004
American professional tennis player, 2023 US Open champion, and one of the sport's top-ranked players
Kore (Persephone) Fictional
Other
In Greek mythology, Kore was Persephone's name as a maiden before becoming Queen of the Underworld
Names You Might Also Love
See all →"wise river, old river"
"moon goddess"
"noble, high"
"feminine form of Charles"
"beloved"
Compare Cori with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cori
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Cori fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Cori is also used as a boy name, ranked #12093.
View Cori as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Cori →For Parents
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Cori with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Cori
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Cori and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Cori sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →Irish origin
"wise river, old river"
#1,866 in US
Greek origin
"moon goddess"
#1,660 in US
Celtic origin
"noble, high"
#1,826 in US
Germanic via Latin origin
"feminine form of Charles"
#1,685 in US
Latin origin
"beloved"
#1,628 in US
Modern English origin
"one with spunk and spirit"
#1,626 in US
Old French origin
"hardest substance, precious gemstone"
#1,619 in US
Old English hara + leah origin
"hare's woodland clearing (via Harley)"
#1,645 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Cori's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cori
What does the name Cori mean?
What is the origin of the name Cori?
Is Cori a boy or girl name?
How popular is the name Cori?
What are good middle names for Cori?
What are good sibling names for Cori?
How many syllables does Cori have?
Is Cori a common or rare name?
What girl names are similar to Cori?
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.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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