Kory Unisex

Popularity: #882 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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

Origin: English; Irish

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

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kory is believed to have multiple etymological roots, primarily deriving from the Old Norse name "Kóri," which is a diminutive form of "Kór," meaning "the one who is brave" or "the one who is bold." This Norse influence likely made its way into English through the Scandinavian settlements in England during the Viking Age, around the 8th to 11th centuries. Additionally, Kory can also be linked to the Gaelic name "Cora," which means "maiden" or "heart." This dual origin reflects the name's adaptability across different cultures and languages.

Historically, the name Kory and its variants have appeared in various forms throughout the centuries. In medieval times, names derived from Old Norse were common in regions influenced by Viking culture, particularly in England and Scotland.

The name's presence in literature and historical texts can be traced back to the 12th century, where names similar to Kory were used in both oral and written traditions. The name's association with bravery and valor resonates with the heroic narratives of the time, often linked to figures in Norse sagas and folklore.

Culturally, Kory embodies qualities of strength and courage, making it a name that has been embraced in various contexts. The symbolic associations with bravery have allowed the name to endure through generations, often being chosen for its positive connotations.

In some traditions, diminutive forms like "Kory" or "Cory" have been used affectionately, reflecting a sense of familiarity and warmth. Overall, the name Kory carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its linguistic origins and the values it represents.

Famous people named Kory

In this section, you will find notable people named Kory. 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 Kory who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kory 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.

Kory L. Smith is a musician best known for his work with the band The Korys.

Kory K. is a professional wrestler best known for his appearances in various independent wrestling promotions.

Fictional characters named Kory

The following list of fictional characters named Kory is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Kory Anders is a fictional character from the comic book series Teen Titans. She is a powerful alien warrior known as Starfire who possesses the ability to fly and shoot energy blasts.

Sibling suggestions

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

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kory. 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.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kory was first seen in the United States in 1952.

Kory has ranked as high as #676 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and New York.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kory 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 Kory was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Kory (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
GA 5
100%

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 Kory.

YearBirths
202442
202348
202262
202146
202052
201958
201850
201765
201672
201583
201475
201375
201272
201186
201080
200996
2008119
2007125
2006139
2005155
2004143
2003169
2002162
2001207
2000234
1999245
1998295
1997311
1996331
1995365
1994403
1993435
1992459
1991565
1990598
1989601
1988568
1987518
1986457
1985410
1984337
1983314
1982317
1981320
1980317
1979300
1978303
1977335
1976275
1975254
1974226
1973203
1972206
1971207
1970221
1969208
1968120
196788
196677
1965105
196473
196380
196277
196165
196061
195946
195844
195736
195623
195515
19549
19537
19525