Koury
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 62 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Koury is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, possibly related to the Lebanese and Syrian surname Khoury — from the Arabic khuri meaning 'priest' or 'clergyman,' often held by Christian Arab families. As a given name, it reflects the practice of using family surnames as first names.
Koury has a clean, two-syllable sound that travels easily in English. For families with Lebanese, Syrian, or broader Arab Christian heritage, it carries both cultural identity and family pride.
EtymologyShow more
Koury appeared in SSA records in 1977, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Arabic roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 62 recorded births, Koury has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Koury has 11+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1977.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 10 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 29 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 12 | — |
The Story of Koury
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1978, Koury is a Gen X staple. Boys named Koury are most likely born between 1977 and 1988.
How rare is Koury?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Koury is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, peaked in the 1980s with 29 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Koury by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 1977–2012)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | #13351 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10882 |
| 1999 | 5 | #10876 |
| 1993 | 5 | #9536 |
| 1989 | 7 | #6619 |
| 1988 | 5 | #7963 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6576 |
| 1985 | 6 | #6200 |
| 1981 | 5 | #6827 |
| 1978 | 7 | #4815 |
| 1977 | 5 | #6383 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koury a boy's or girl's name?
When was Koury most popular?
How popular is the name Koury?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2012