Korey Unisex

Popularity: #891 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOR-ee //ˈkɔːri//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'spear'; English: 'from the hollow'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Korey is derived from the Old Irish name "Cora," which means "hollow" or "the hollow place." The etymological journey of Korey can be traced back to the Gaelic roots, where it was initially used as a feminine name. Over time, it evolved and was adapted into various forms across different cultures and languages.

The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many Gaelic names into the English-speaking world, often altering their spelling and pronunciation in the process. Historically, the name Cora has been associated with several notable figures and events.

In the 19th century, it gained prominence through literary works, particularly in the context of romantic and poetic literature. The name was also used in various adaptations of classical literature, where characters named Cora often embodied themes of beauty and nature.

The name's association with the Greek goddess Persephone, who was also known as Kore, further enriched its cultural significance, linking it to themes of spring and rebirth. As the name Korey emerged in the 20th century, it began to be recognized as a distinct masculine form, often seen as a modern variation of Cora.

This adaptation reflects a broader trend in naming practices where traditionally feminine names are reinterpreted for male use. The name Korey carries connotations of strength and individuality, resonating with cultural narratives that celebrate uniqueness and personal identity.

Its historical roots and literary associations contribute to its enduring appeal, making it a name with rich linguistic and cultural heritage.

Famous people named Korey

In this section, you will find notable people named Korey. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Korey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Korey who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Korey Kuhl is a YouTuber best known for being a member of the Try Guys and for his work on BuzzFeed.

Korey Williams is a professional basketball player best known for playing in the NBA G League.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Korey, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

KadenKellanKieranKylieKira

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Korey. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

CoryKoryCoreyKadenKieranKellanKurtKurtisKendallKendrick

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Korey was first seen in the United States in 1953.

Korey has ranked as high as #869 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Korey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Korey is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Korey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Korey.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 54 47 7
2024 61 50 11
2023 65 65 0
2022 66 57 9
2021 99 81 18
2020 95 82 13
2019 106 85 21
2018 95 82 13
2017 84 72 12
2016 125 106 19
2015 117 98 19
2014 108 94 14
2013 134 116 18
2012 142 130 12
2011 134 124 10
2010 148 135 13
2009 154 141 13
2008 185 170 15
2007 155 141 14
2006 210 188 22
2005 220 207 13
2004 192 177 15
2003 248 225 23
2002 261 239 22
2001 277 256 21
2000 218 195 23
1999 270 238 32
1998 260 237 23
1997 248 222 26
1996 333 295 38
1995 379 334 45
1994 361 330 31
1993 424 377 47
1992 402 365 37
1991 477 435 42
1990 551 507 44
1989 526 485 41
1988 430 393 37
1987 400 358 42
1986 356 310 46
1985 359 317 42
1984 231 201 30
1983 224 206 18
1982 194 167 27
1981 198 174 24
1980 248 215 33
1979 188 164 24
1978 201 173 28
1977 289 248 41
1976 186 156 30
1975 184 158 26
1974 139 113 26
1973 136 112 24
1972 120 100 20
1971 154 135 19
1970 158 140 18
1969 145 127 18
1968 70 64 6
1967 35 30 5
1966 25 25 0
1965 26 21 5
1964 25 18 7
1963 28 21 7
1962 34 25 9
1961 25 25 0
1960 18 11 7
1959 13 8 5
1958 11 11 0
1957 10 10 0
1956 8 8 0
1955 6 6 0
1953 5 5 0

Top States for Korey (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 6
38%
FL 5
31%
CA 5
31%