Declining since 1988, #1,244 for boys today.
Popularity of Cory since 1924
Babies named Cory per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 174 |
| 1950s | 1,627 |
| 1960s | 5,896 |
| 1970s | 27,509 |
| 1980s | 44,358 |
| 1990s | 34,166 |
| 2000s | 8,903 |
| 2010s | 3,355 |
| 2020s | 1,179 |
Meaning & origin
Cory, a spelling variant of Corey, saw its peak popularity in 1988 when it ranked highest among U.S. births. Since then, it has been on a declining trajectory, with a 2025 rank of 1244 and approximately 1 in 10,675 boys receiving the name. The name was first recorded in 1924 and saw its greatest use during the 1980s. It remains most common in states like Indiana, Tennessee, and Michigan. While its exact meaning is uncertain, its Irish roots give it a connection to heritage that continues to appeal to some parents.
Cory is most often considered a spelling variant of Corey, which itself may derive from the Irish surname Ó Comhraidhe, meaning 'descendant of Comhraidhe', a personal name of uncertain meaning. Alternatively, some sources suggest an Irish derivation from 'coire' meaning 'cauldron' or 'seething pool'. The name has been used as a given name since the 20th century, gaining particular popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.
Where Cory is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cory” around the world
Where Cory lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Cory
Names that share Cory's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Casey, Megan, Erin, Kelsey, Brittany, Lindsey, Codi, Jena, Corissa, Dusti, Jenee, Karri, Corri, Dory, Jamye, Marki, Ramie, Tarryn, Telisa, Terin, Tacey, Coriann, Corisa, Jury, Shoni, Tressy
Brothers: Patrick, Sean, Ryan, Dylan, Shane, Jacory, Jory, Torry, Corry, Daryn, Jarad, Torey, Casy, Jorey, Shawan, Korrey, Kyrel
Names like Cory
Names whose popularity has moved with Cory's over the last 50 years.
