As a given name, Cory is used by both males and females. It is a variation of the name Cora, which has Greek origins and is the maiden name of the goddess Persephone. The name also can have origins from the Gaelic word coire, which means "in a cauldron", or "in a hollow".
As a surname, it has a number of possible derivations, including an Old Norse personal name Kori of uncertain meaning, which is found in Scandinavia and England. As an Irish surname it comes from Ó Comhraidhe (descendant of Comhraidheh).
Notable people or fictional characters named Cory include
Cory Aldridge (born 1979), American baseball player
Cory Alexander (born 1973), American basketball player
Cory Arcangel (born 1978), American digital artist
Cory Asbury (born 1985), American Christian musician and worship pastor
Cory Bent (born 1997), English footballer
Cory Booker (born 1969), United States senator from New Jersey
Cory Bowles (born 1973), Canadian actor and choreographer
Cory Carr (born 1975), American-Israeli basketball player
Cory Conacher (born 1989), Canadian ice hockey player
Cory Cory-Wright (1838–1909), British businessman
Cory Cotton (born 1987), writer and member of the American sports conglomerate Dude Perfect Cory Cyrenne (born 1977), Canadian ice hockey player Cory Doctorow (born 1971), Canadian journalist and author Cory Doran (born 1982), Canadian voice actor Cory Edwards, American writer and director Cory Everson (born 1958), American bodybuilder and actress Cory Fong (born 1972), American public servant Cory Gearrin (born 1986), American baseball player Cory Gibbs (born 1980), American association footballer Cory Hardrict (born 1979), American actor Cory Henry (born 1987), American pianist, organist and singer-songwriter Cory Jane (born 1983), New Zealand rugby union footballer Cory Kennedy (model) (born 1990), American model Cory Kennedy (skateboarder), American professional skateboarder Cory La Quay, American drummer of the post-hardcore band A Skylit Drive Cory Lin (born 2015), Christian like wise Cory Lerios (born 1951), American pianist and vocalist Cory Lidle (1972–2006), American baseball player Cory Marks, Canadian country rock singer Cory McGrath (born 1979), Australian rules footballer Cory Monteith (1982–2013), Canadian actor Cory Morgan (ice hockey) (born 1978), Canadian ice hockey player Cory Morrow (born 1972), American singer-songwriter Cory Nelms (born 1988), American football player Cory Paterson (born 1987), Australian rugby league footballer Cory Pecker (born 1981), Canadian ice hockey player Cory Philpot (born 1970), Canadian Football League player Cory Quirino (born 1953), Filipino TV host Cory Redding (born 1980), American National Football League player Cory Rooney, American songwriter and record producer Cory Sarich (born 1978), Canadian ice hockey player Cory Schlesinger (born 1972), American footballer Cory Spangenberg (born 1991), American baseball player Cory Spinks (born 1978), American boxer Cory Stillman (born 1973), Canadian ice hockey player Cory Sullivan (born 1979), American baseball player Cory Trice (born 2000), American football player Cory Wade (born 1983), American baseball player Cory Walker (born 1980), American comic book artist Cory Wells (1941–2015), American singer Cory T. Williams, American attorney and Democratic politician Cory Williams (born 1981), American YouTube personality also known as "Mr. Safety" Cory DeVante Williams (born 1992), American YouTube personality also known as "CoryxKenshin" Cory Witherill (born 1971), American race car driver