MallowbyNames

Korea

kuh-REE-uh · Of uncertain origin, possibly from the name of the Korean peninsula.

Peak popularity
2004
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1990

Rising since 1990.

Popularity of Korea since 1986

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

613191990200020102020Most births 2004Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1980s19
1990s60
2000s105
2010s77
2020s37

Meaning & origin

Korea is a rare American given name inspired by the East Asian country. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1986, but it has never entered the top 1000. The name reached its peak usage in 2004, though even then it remained uncommon. Since 1990, its trajectory has been rising, reflecting a modern pattern of using place names as personal names. Unlike many place-name borrowings, Korea has not seen widespread adoption, and it is not associated with any top states. Its charm lies in its unique geographic reference, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name tied to a specific nation.

Korea is a modern given name derived from the country name. Its use as a personal name is rare and appears to be inspired by the East Asian nation, with no traditional etymology beyond the geographic reference. The name entered U.S. birth records in 1986.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kori, Rea

Variants: Corea

Sibling names for Korea

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

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

K is for Korea, our favorite little girl.

K is for Korea…”

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

Make Korea's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Korea mean?
The name Korea is taken from the country name, which itself is of uncertain origin. It does not have a traditional personal name meaning.
How popular is the name Korea?
Korea has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. It was first recorded in 1986 and saw a peak in 2004. As of 2025, usage remains very rare.
Is Korea a boy or girl name?
Korea is primarily used for girls.