Declining since 2016, #978 for girls today.
Popularity of Kori since 1953
Babies named Kori per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 69 | 0 |
| 1960s | 514 | 15 |
| 1970s | 1,793 | 197 |
| 1980s | 2,059 | 322 |
| 1990s | 2,918 | 332 |
| 2000s | 1,997 | 259 |
| 2010s | 3,397 | 263 |
| 2020s | 2,075 | 177 |
Meaning & origin
Kori entered the U.S. baby name scene in 1953 and has seen modest use since. Its peak year was 2016, when it ranked 978th, with approximately 1 in every 6,182 newborns receiving the name, predominantly girls. The name's trajectory has been falling since 2016, reflecting a broader trend away from spelling variants of traditional names. Geographically, Kori has shown particular concentration in Mississippi, Kansas, and Alabama, suggesting a regional preference in the South and Midwest. As a respelling of Corey, it carries the Irish heritage of the original surname while offering a lighter, more feminine sound. Parents choosing Kori today often seek a name that is familiar yet distinctive, avoiding the more common Corey or Cori.
Kori is a modern respelling of Corey, which derives from the Irish surname Ó Comhraidhe. The original Gaelic personal name Comhraidhe is of uncertain etymology. The name gained popularity as a unisex given name in the 20th century, with the spelling Kori emerging as a feminine variant, particularly in the United States.
Where Kori is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kor, Ri
Sibling names for Kori
Names that share Kori's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kori
Names whose popularity has moved with Kori's over the last 50 years.
