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.
"Corey experienced a steady rise in popularity from the late 1940s to its peak in the mid-1970s, with over 350 births recorded annually between 1975 and 1980. However, since then, the name's usage has significantly declined, dropping to fewer than 30 births per year by the early 2000s, and continuing to decrease thereafter."