Boy Name · Irish Origin
Cory
Cory has earned its place on parents' shortlists the slow way: by sounding right out loud. The name's literal sense — "From the hollow" — is the kind of small story a child grows into rather than out of. It comes out of the Irish naming tradition, where it accumulated centuries of literary and family use before crossing into broader English use. Our reviewers flagged Cory as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
Cory holds steady in the top 500 of US name rankings, which is to say it's familiar without being overused. Compared with names of similar style, Cory has held its rank more consistently — a quiet sign of long-term durability. Stylistically it reads clean and unfussy, equally workable in a board meeting or a kindergarten roll call. Other names that frequently appear on the same shortlists include Corry, Curry, Cary; we cover all of them, plus middle-name pairings, further down.
Cory meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: From the hollow
Origin: Irish naming roots help connect Cory to related Irish baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Cory as C·O·R·Y, with 4 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Cory is familiar without being overly common in the Top 500 tier.
Cory variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Corya, Corye, Coryy.
- Nicknames: Cory works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Cory with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Cory middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Corry, Curry, Cary, Corey, Carry — full picks on the sibling names for Cory guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Cory? Browse our names like Cory guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Cory
What does the name Cory mean?
Cory means "From the hollow" and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of Cory?
Cory originates in Irish naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Cory?
Cory has 4 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Cory a boy's or girl's name?
Cory is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Cory in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Cory sits in the Top 500 tier — familiar without being overly common.
What names are similar to Cory?
Names that share Cory's sound and style include Corry, Curry, Cary, Corey, Carry.
What middle names pair well with Cory?
Good middle-name fits for Cory pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Cory is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Cory is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Cory?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Cory share its rhythm without rhyming — Corry, Curry, Cary all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.