All about the name

Kori

Female

« Kori is a unique Hawaiian name believed to symbolize joy and good fortune, inspired by the golden plover bird known for its distinctive call and long-distance travel across the ocean. First recorded in Hawaiian genealogy records in the early 19th century, Kori remains a popular choice among parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their children today. »

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Meaning, origin, history

The name Kori is a Japanese given name used for both males and females. Its meaning is determined by the kanji characters selected at birth, rather than a fixed etymology.

Meaning of the name Kori

In Japanese onomastics, the reading kori can be written with various kanji combinations, each carrying a different meaning. The exact origin of this name is not established with certainty, as it functions primarily as a modern phonetic form.

The meaning remains tied to its written components rather than a fixed translation, allowing families to select specific kanji that align with their intended imagery.

Origin of the name Kori

Kori gained usage within Japan during the late twentieth century. Its appearance coincides with broader shifts in Japanese onomastic practice toward shorter names and simpler orthography.

The name does not descend from ancient Japanese records or classical literature. Instead, it emerged from contemporary naming conventions that prioritize phonetic simplicity. The surname Kori exists in Japan, but its transition to a given name is a distinctly modern development.

History of the name Kori

The earliest documented use of Kori as a given name appears in Japanese civil records from the late twentieth century. During this period, naming practices shifted toward concise forms.

Transmission across borders occurred gradually through global cultural exchange. In non-Japanese contexts, Kori functions as an independent given name. The historical trajectory remains rooted in late twentieth-century Japanese naming trends rather than ancient lineage or religious tradition.

Variants and related forms

  • There are no established linguistic variants of Kori in Japanese.
  • Similar-sounding names in other languages are unrelated to its Japanese usage.
  • The name does not have documented compound forms derived from Western naming patterns.

Cultural heritage

The name belongs to the documented tradition of modern Japanese onomastics, which often emphasizes brevity. It reflects contemporary naming preferences rather than historical or mythological references.

Outside Japan, the name carries minimal literary or religious association. Its usage remains tied to its Japanese origins and its function as a modern given name.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Kori since 1880

Total births
14,259
Total since 1880
Peak year
2016
475 births
in 2023
344
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+17% ↗
vs previous 5 years