"from the hollow"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Cory
Pronunciation: [ k-AWR-ee ]
Boy Name
#1,097 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A classic 90s cool kid name
American
Irish
English
Classic
Playful
Vintage
Modern
Meaning & Origin
"maiden, heart"
Origin: Greek Cora
Language: Greek
The Story of Cory
Cory is a variant of Corey, which likely derives from the Irish Gaelic Corra referring to a hollow or a cauldron-shaped depression in the earth, or from the Old Norse Kori. It may also relate to the Greek Cora meaning maiden. As an American given name, it emerged in the mid-20th century as a breezy, easy-to-pronounce option appealing across genders.
Cory peaked in the US during the 1980s-90s when it was a quintessential decade name. Cory Matthews from the TV show Boy Meets World (1993-2000) became the name's most iconic pop culture ambassador.
Cory captured the casual, accessible spirit of American youth culture in the 1980s-1990s. It was part of a trend of easy, friendly-sounding names without strong ethnic or religious associations.
Fun Facts
- Cory Matthews from Boy Meets World was one of TV's most beloved teen characters of the 1990s
- The name Cory was in the US top 100 for boys from the 1960s through the 1990s
Cory in Other Languages
French
Cory
German
Cory
Spanish
Cory
Famous People Named Cory
C
Cory Booker
Politician
1969
American politician and US Senator from New Jersey who ran for president in 2020
C
Cory Matthews Fictional
Other
The lovable protagonist of the 1990s-2000s TV show Boy Meets World, played by Ben Savage
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,097
- Total SSA Count
- 197
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Cory James
Cory Allen
Cory Michael
Cory Lee
Cory Wayne
Cory Scott
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Cory is also used as a girl name, ranked #7098.
View Cory as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Cory and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Cory 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
Frequently Asked Questions About Cory
What does the name Cory mean?
"from the hollow" (from Irish Gaelic). "maiden, heart" (from Greek Cora). Cory is a variant of Corey, which likely derives from the Irish Gaelic Corra referring to a hollow or a cauldron-shaped depression in the earth, or from the Old Norse Kori. It may also relate to the Greek Cora meaning maiden. As an American given name, it emerged in the mid-20th century as a breezy, easy-to-pronounce option appealing across genders.
What is the origin of the name Cory?
Cory has Irish Gaelic, Greek Cora, American, Irish, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "from the hollow". In Greek Cora, it means "maiden, heart".
Is Cory a boy or girl name?
Cory is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1097. As a girl name, it is ranked #7098. Cory is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cory?
Cory is pronounced k-AWR-ee.
How popular is the name Cory?
Cory is currently ranked #1097 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Cory?
Popular middle name pairings include Cory James, Cory Allen, Cory Michael, Cory Lee, Cory Wayne, and Cory Scott.
What are good sibling names for Cory?
Names that pair well with Cory as siblings include Tyler, Ashley, Brandon, Brittany, Kyle, and Tiffany.
How many syllables does Cory have?
Cory has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cory a common or rare name?
Cory is an uncommon name, ranked #1097 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Cory
Cory is a boy name with American, Irish, and English origins . The name means "from the hollow" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Cory a boy or girl name? Cory is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,097 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #7,098. Cory is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cory is currently ranked #1,097 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cory has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AWR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Cory include Corbin, Corey, Cormac, Cortez, Corbyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.