Cory

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOR-ee /ˈkɔːr.i/High

Meaning: Hollow; god's peace; from Irish Gaelic coire (hollow, cauldron) or Old Norse kori (hollow); also associated with the Greek Kore (maiden)Medium

In 30 seconds: A name of disputed origin — Irish 'hollow,' Norse 'hollow,' or possibly a variant of Greek Kore (maiden). A friendly two-syllable name familiar to millennials through character Cory Matthews in Boy Meets World (1993–2000).

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Origin MediumIrish, Norse

MeaningHollow; god's peace; from Irish Gaelic coire (hollow, cauldron) or Old Norse kori (hollow); also associated with the Greek Kore (maiden)

U.S. rank (2025)#1245 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births160 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 127,183

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cory has multiple possible origins: Irish Gaelic coire (hollow, cauldron), Old Norse kori (hollow), or it may be an anglicization of the Greek/Celtic Kore. Its exact etymology is not definitively established.

Cory was popular in the U.S. from the 1960s through the 1990s. It ranked #1093 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Cory Matthews in Boy Meets World (1993–2000) is one of TV's most beloved coming-of-age characters — and the show's revival Girl Meets World (2014–2017) kept the name in cultural conversation for another generation.

Overall data confidence 76%

Behind the Name — Cory — multiple etymologiesU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CoreyKoreyKory

Nicknames

Cor

Famous Bearers

★Cory Matthews (fictional)
The protagonist of ABC's Boy Meets World (1993–2000), played by Ben Savage.

If you like Cory…

Corey— the most common spelling of the same name

Korey— the K-spelling variant in the same family

Corbin— Cor- opening name with the same Celtic sound

Delaney— two-syllable Irish name with the same friendly bounce

Explore names like Cory

By themeunisex classic two-syllable irish norse uncertain-origin

By meaningGod / Divine Peace

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cory mean?

Cory has disputed origins — possibly 'hollow' from Irish coire or Norse kori. The exact etymology is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Cory?

It's said KOR-ee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cory a boy or girl name?

Cory is used for both sexes.

How popular is Cory?

Cory ranked #1093 for U.S. boys in 2024.