Declining since 2001, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Cort since 1915
Babies named Cort per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 40 |
| 1950s | 169 |
| 1960s | 234 |
| 1970s | 152 |
| 1980s | 156 |
| 1990s | 289 |
| 2000s | 446 |
| 2010s | 336 |
| 2020s | 91 |
Meaning & origin
Cort is a short, strong name whose exact origins remain somewhat unclear. It may have started as a blunt nickname for someone short or as a clipping of surnames like Cortland. Records show it has been in use since at least 1915, but it has never been common; it reached its peak rank of 6,143 in 2025, a year when only about 1 in 122,005 boys received the name. The name has been in a gradual decline since 2001. Despite its low frequency, Cort has a straightforward, no-nonsense sound that fits into the modern preference for concise, surname-styled first names.
Cort is a name of English origin whose exact derivation is uncertain. It may have originated as a short form of longer names such as Cortland or Courtney, or it could be from the Old English word 'cort' meaning 'short', possibly used as a nickname for a short person. The name has been in sporadic use in the United States since the early 20th century, peaking in popularity in 2011.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Kort
Sibling names for Cort
Names that share Cort's style, for a brother or sister.
