MallowbyNames

Cortnee

KORT-nee · Variant spelling of Courtney, which is of debated origin, possibly from a Norman place name or an Old French nickname meaning 'short nose'.

Peak popularity
1991
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Cortnee since 1975

Babies named Cortnee per year in U.S. Social Security records.

152944198020002020Most births 1991Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s45
1980s195
1990s276
2000s101
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Cortnee is a modern respelling of the established name Courtney, a given name with centuries of use. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1975, a time when creative spellings were gaining popularity. The name reached its peak in 1991, reflecting the broader trend of Courtney-like names in that era. Though its current rank is not in the top 1,000, it has remained stable without significant decline. This variant is most often chosen by parents seeking a distinctive spelling while retaining the familiar sound. No specific states show a particular concentration for Cortnee, suggesting its usage is scattered across the country.

Cortnee is a modern respelling of Courtney, which originated as an English surname derived from a Norman place name in France. The name was adopted as a given name for both boys and girls from the Middle Ages onward, with a notable rise in popularity for girls in the late 20th century. This variant spelling emerged in the 1970s as part of a trend of unique -ee endings.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Cort, Nee

Variants: Courtney, Kortney, Cortney, Kortnee

Sibling names for Cortnee

Names that share Cortnee's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Cortnee, our favorite little girl.

C is for Cortnee…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Cortnee's letter becomes Cortnee's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Cortnee's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Cortnee mean?
Cortnee is a variant spelling of Courtney, a name of debated origin possibly meaning 'short nose' from Old French or derived from a Norman place name.
How popular is the name Cortnee?
Cortnee first entered the U.S. data in 1975 and peaked in 1991. It is currently not among the top 1,000 names and has remained stable in recent years.
Is Cortnee a boy or girl name?
Cortnee is almost exclusively used for girls, though Courtney originated as a unisex name.