Corey in Chinese
Corey in Chinese is 科里 (Kē Lǐ).
- Origin
- Irish
- Meaning
- hollow; ravine
The name traces back to Irish sources, where it is usually explained as "hollow; ravine". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1919 and peaked in 1989. Spellings pronounced the same way include Cory, which share the transliteration 科里.
3 ways to write Corey
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
科里
Kē Lǐ
The standard transliteration of Corey: 科 (kē, "science; branch of study"), 里 (lǐ, "village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 科 (kē) carries "co", 里 (lǐ) carries "rey". The tone contour is 1-3 (high level, dipping).
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 科
kē
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
science; branch of study
- 里
lǐ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
家宁
Jiā Níng
Inspired by "hollow; ravine": 家 (jiā, "home, family") + 宁 (níng, "peaceful, tranquil"), expressing land, hills and home.
Why these characters?
Because Corey is linked to "hollow", the name leads with 家 (home, family); 宁 (peaceful, tranquil) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 家
jiā
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
home, family
- 宁
níng
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
peaceful, tranquil
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
科岳
Kē Yuè
科 (kē, "science; branch of study") + 岳 (yuè, "high mountain"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 科 (kē), the same opening character as the transliteration 科里, for the "co" sound, and replaces the rest with 岳 ("high mountain") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 科
kē
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
science; branch of study
- 岳
yuè
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
high mountain
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 181,146 boys named Corey since 1919, with the high point in 1989 (8,003 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #56 to #467 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1989
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1919
- Total since 1880
- 181,146
More About Corey in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Corey offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Corey, you'll find options that work for you.
Corey is also spelled Cory — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Cory in Chinese, Vincent in Chinese, and Joel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Dominic in Chinese, George in Chinese, Cole in Chinese, and Xavier in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Corey, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Corey to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Corey in Chinese?
科里 (Kē Lǐ), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Corey?
US Social Security records show 181,146 boys named Corey since 1919, with the high point in 1989 (8,003 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #56 to #467 among boys.
Is there a Chinese name for Corey with real meaning?
Try 家宁 (Jiā Níng): home, family + peaceful, tranquil, inspired by "hollow; ravine". For something that still sounds like Corey, 科岳 (Kē Yuè) is a middle ground.