How to say it
COR · ey
ˈkɔːr.i
Masculine
Corey
From the hollow
What it means
An Irish surname, most often traced to Gaelic coire, 'cauldron' or 'hollow,' or the family name Ó Comhraidhe.
Corey is an Irish surname turned first name. The most common reading ties it to the Gaelic coire, 'cauldron' or 'hollow,' so 'dweller by a hollow.' It is also linked to the family name Ó Comhraidhe, 'descendant of Comhraidhe,' and some trace it to an Old Norse personal name Kori of uncertain meaning. Roots vary by family. It caught on as a boys' given name in the later twentieth century. Corey eased to rank 778 in 2025, down from 678.
How to spell Corey
The standard spelling is Corey. Common variants include Cory, Korey, Kory, but Corey is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #52 in 1977, currently #778 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
KOR-ee, two syllables, stress on the first.
- Spelling
Cory, Korey, and Kory are common alternates.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Corey Taylor American musician and lead vocalist of the band Slipknot
- Corey Feldman American actor known for 1980s films such as The Goonies
Spelling variants
- Cory
- Korey
- Kory
Names with the same feeling
See Corey from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Corey mean?
- An Irish surname, most often traced to Gaelic coire, 'cauldron' or 'hollow,' or the family name Ó Comhraidhe.
- What does Corey mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Corey means "From the hollow." Corey is an Irish surname turned first name. The most common reading ties it to the Gaelic coire, 'cauldron' or 'hollow,' so 'dweller by a hollow.' It is also linked to the family name Ó Comhraidhe, 'descendant of Comhraidhe,' and some trace it to an Old Norse personal name Kori of uncertain meaning. Roots vary by family. It caught on as a boys' given name in the later twentieth century. Corey eased to rank 778 in 2025, down from 678.
- How do you pronounce Corey?
- Corey is pronounced ˈkɔːr.i. Say it as COR-ey, with the stress on the "cor" syllable.
- How do you spell Corey?
- The standard spelling is Corey. Common spelling variants include Cory, Korey, Kory.
- Is Corey a boy or girl name?
- Corey is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Corey?
- Corey ranked #778 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.