Corky is an American diminutive of Cornelius, a Latin name derived from 'cornu' meaning "horn" and 'aulus' meaning "great". The nickname Corky emerged in the United States during the early 20th century and gained popularity through its usage among various public figures. It was often used to convey a sense of informality or friendliness, much like other American nicknames such as Buddy or Sonny. While it may not be as common today as it once was, Corky remains recognizable as an historic American nickname with its roots in Latin nomenclature.
"The name Corky experienced its peak popularity during the late 1940s and early 1950s with a total of 51 births across eight years."