Holding steady.
Popularity of Karey since 1937
Babies named Karey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1940s | 34 | 31 |
| 1950s | 195 | 102 |
| 1960s | 454 | 156 |
| 1970s | 902 | 108 |
| 1980s | 379 | 94 |
| 1990s | 176 | 77 |
| 2000s | 42 | 11 |
| 2010s | 5 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Karey is a spelling variant of the more common Corey or Carey, names that have roots in Irish and Gaelic traditions. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1941 and peaked in usage during the 1970s, with its highest number of births in 1975. Since then, its use has been stable but infrequent, never breaking into the national top 1000 rankings. As a result, the 1-in-1,000,000 birth frequency is not available for recent years. As of 2025, it remains a rare choice, appealing to parents seeking a familiar but uncommon name with a modern 'K' spelling. Top states for the name have not been recorded due to its low frequency.
Karey is a modern spelling variant of Carey or Corey. Carey originated as an Irish surname meaning 'dark' or 'black', while Corey derives from the Old Norse name Kori or the Gaelic word for 'spear'. The spelling with a 'K' became popular in the mid-20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kar, Ree
Sibling names for Karey
Names that share Karey's style, for a brother or sister.
