Find out how popular the first name Kori has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kori by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kori is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 90% of people named Kori being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 344 female babies and 28 male babies born with the name Kori.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 28 baby boys were named Kori in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kori

The given name Kori has its origins in the Japanese language and culture. It is a feminine name that can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan. The name Kori is derived from the Japanese word "kori," which means "little basket" or "small container." This name was likely given to girls with the hope that they would be graceful, feminine, and able to carry and hold precious things, both tangible and intangible.

In ancient Japanese folklore and literature, there are references to the name Kori, often associated with characters who embodied traits of gentleness, elegance, and beauty. One notable example is the character Kori-no-Hime, a princess from the classic Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji" written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kori can be traced back to the 12th century in Japan. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Kori-no-Tsubone, a court lady who served during the reign of Emperor Go-Toba (1180-1239 CE).

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kori:

1. Kori Ubusuna (1483-1528), a Japanese female poet and calligrapher during the Muromachi period.
2. Kori Tomonobu (1589-1633), a Japanese samurai and daimyo (feudal lord) who served under the Tokugawa shogunate.
3. Kori Kumazawa (1619-1691), a prominent Japanese painter and calligrapher during the Edo period.
4. Kori Kurayoshi (1752-1828), a Japanese scholar and poet who served as a court advisor during the Edo period.
5. Kori Tomioka (1836-1905), a Japanese diplomat and statesman who played a significant role in the modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration.

While the name Kori is primarily associated with Japanese culture, it has also been adopted in other parts of the world, although with varying meanings and origins. It is important to note that this report focuses solely on the history and meaning of the given name Kori from a Japanese perspective.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kori was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kori, please contact us.

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