Corey is a gender-neutral given name of English origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Cearnaigh," which means "descendant of Cearnach." The name Cearnach is believed to mean "vigorous" or "ardent" in Irish. Therefore, Corey can be interpreted as meaning "son of vigorous" or "son of ardent."
The name Corey has a long history that dates back to medieval Ireland. It was originally used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name in the 20th century. In the United States, the name Corey first gained significant popularity during the 1960s and reached its peak usage in the early 1990s.
Corey is often associated with the Irish people and culture due to its origins. However, it has since become a globally recognized name used by people of various ethnic backgrounds. Today, Corey continues to be popular as a given name for both boys and girls, reflecting its timeless appeal and universal significance.
The name Corey has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past eight decades in the United States. In the 1940s and early 1950s, the number of births with the name Corey was relatively low, ranging from 6 to 11 births per year.
However, starting in the mid-1950s, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Corey. The highest peak occurred in 1973, with 214 births, marking an impressive growth compared to previous years. This popularity persisted throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, with over 250 births each year from 1977 to 1984.
Interestingly, after reaching a peak of 378 births in 1985, there was a significant decline in the popularity of the name Corey. The number of annual births with this name fell steadily throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, reaching an all-time low of 16 births in 2013.
In recent years, however, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Corey. The number of annual births with this name has gradually increased since 2015, reaching 31 births in 2020 and 29 births in 2021. This recent uptick suggests that Corey may be regaining some favor among parents as a boys' name.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Corey has fluctuated over time, it remains a relatively uncommon name compared to many others. As of 2022, there have been a total of 9016 births with the name Corey in the United States since 1945.