Declining since 1989, #3,314 for boys today.
Popularity of Kory since 1952
Babies named Kory per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 26 | 185 |
| 1960s | 109 | 953 |
| 1970s | 296 | 2,530 |
| 1980s | 351 | 4,159 |
| 1990s | 265 | 4,007 |
| 2000s | 110 | 1,549 |
| 2010s | 116 | 716 |
| 2020s | 65 | 286 |
Meaning & origin
Kory is a modern respelling of the more established Corey, a name that saw a surge in popularity during the 1980s. First recorded in the US in 1952, Kory reached its peak rank of 3314 in 1989, when 1 in 48,802 boys were given the name. Since then, its trajectory has been steadily falling, mirroring the decline of many -ee ending names. While top state data is unavailable for Kory specifically, its variant Corey was particularly popular in states like Utah and Idaho during its heyday. Kory remains a recognizable choice that balances a familiar sound with a less common spelling.
Kory is a variant of Corey, itself an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Comhraidhe, meaning 'descendant of Comhraidhe', a personal name of uncertain meaning, possibly related to 'comhraidh' meaning 'help' or 'spear'. Alternatively, some sources suggest a Norse origin from Kóri, a short form of names like Kormákr, meaning 'the chosen one'. The name gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the US, as a respelling of Corey.
Where Kory 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.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Kory
Names that share Kory's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Kory
Names whose popularity has moved with Kory's over the last 50 years.
