"hollow"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: English
Kori
Does Kori flow with your last name?
A timeless friendly name with Norse and Irish roots
American
Irish-American
African-American
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Playful
Modern
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Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Comhradha"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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The Story of Kori
Kori is a phonetic spelling of Corey, which derives from the Irish Gaelic surname O Comhraidhe, meaning descendant of Comhradha, or alternatively from the Old Norse Kori meaning hollow. The name was brought to Ireland by Norse settlers during the Viking Age. Its simplicity and friendly sound have made it a popular given name in the English-speaking world since the mid-20th century.
Corey and its variants (Cory, Kori, Korey) peaked in the US during the 1980s, partly driven by pop cultural figures like Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. The K-spelling Kori remains in use as a fresher visual variant.
Corey has been used for both boys and girls in the US, though the K-spelling Kori tends to skew slightly more feminine. In African-American communities, the K-spelling distinguishes the name while maintaining the familiar pronunciation.
Historical Record
Kori first appeared in US Social Security records in 1962.
Over 1,537 babies have been named Kori in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kori is past its peak , currently ranked #4,081 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Corey was a top-50 name in the US during the 1980s
- Two popular teen actors in the 1980s both named Corey (Haim and Feldman) were called The Two Coreys
- The name is used for both boys and girls in the US
Kori in Other Languages
Irish
Cormac (related)
French
Cori
Spanish
Cori
Norwegian
Kori
Popularity Over Time
#4,081
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1989
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kori
C
C
Corey Haim
Actor
1971
Canadian-American actor famous for 1980s teen films including The Lost Boys and License to Drive
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,081
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish-American African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kor
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kori
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kori is also used as a girl name, ranked #894.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kori
What does the name Kori mean?
"hollow" (from Old Norse). "descendant of Comhradha" (from Irish Gaelic). Kori is a phonetic spelling of Corey, which derives from the Irish Gaelic surname O Comhraidhe, meaning descendant of Comhradha, or alternatively from the Old Norse Kori meaning hollow. The name was brought to Ireland by Norse settlers during the Viking Age. Its simplicity and friendly sound have made it a popular given name in the English-speaking world since the mid-20th century.
What is the origin of the name Kori?
Kori has Old Norse, Irish Gaelic, American, Irish-American, and African-American origins. In Old Norse, it means "hollow". In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of Comhradha".
Is Kori a boy or girl name?
Kori is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4081. As a girl name, it is ranked #894. Kori is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kori?
Kori is currently ranked #4081 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kori?
Common nicknames for Kori include Kor.
What are good middle names for Kori?
Popular middle name pairings include Kori James, Kori Lee, Kori Allen, Kori Michael, Kori Dean, Kori Ray, and Kori Wayne.
What are good sibling names for Kori?
Names that pair well with Kori as siblings include Tori, Rori, Cali, Lori, Dori, Braylen, and Jayden.
How many syllables does Kori have?
Kori has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kori a common or rare name?
Kori is an uncommon name, ranked #4081 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kori?
About the Name Kori
Kori is a boy name with American, Irish-American, and African-American origins . The name means "hollow" in Old Norse .
Is Kori a boy or girl name? Kori is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,081 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #894. Kori is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kori is currently ranked #4,081 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kori has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kori include Kor. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kori include Korbin, Korbyn, Korey, Korben, Kory . 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