"from the hollow"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Cory
Pronunciation: [ k-AWR-ee ]
Does Cory flow with your last name?
A classic 90s cool kid name
American
Irish
English
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Playful
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Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"maiden, heart"
Origin: Greek Cora
Language: Greek
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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.
Historical Record
Cory first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 126,837 babies have been named Cory in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cory is past its peak , currently ranked #1,097 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,097
Current Rank
Peaked 1988
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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, English 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
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cory
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cory is also used as a girl name, ranked #7098.
View Cory as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Cory?
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.
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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