Cory appears 60 times in the male-leaning pet registry at rank 1695. It's one of the most generically American names in this batch — a mid-century diminutive form that functions as a standalone given name, with no strong etymological story and a high probability of being a registry artifact: dogs named Cory are often named after a person the owner knows, and the name just transferred to the pet without ceremony.
The Name and Its Register
Cory (also spelled Corey) is an anglicized form of various Irish and Scottish names, loosely connected to the Gaelic for hollow or pool. In American usage, it functions as a straightforward given name with peak popularity in the 1970s-1980s — which means owners choosing it for a dog today are likely in their 30s-40s themselves, giving their pet the name of a childhood friend, a sibling, or a character from early-90s TV. Cory Matthews from Boy Meets World is the most culturally active association for that generation. Casey and Corey sit in the same generational register.
Sound and Practicality
Two syllables, ends in the bright -ee sound — Cory is functional and easy to call. There's nothing about the sound that's distinctive in a yard full of Maxes and Charlies, but it's a comfortable name that won't cause confusion. Beagles and Cocker Spaniels frequently appear in registry data with generically American human names.
The Counter-Read
Cory is a name that carries more meaning for the owner than it communicates to anyone else. That's not a flaw — it's simply how tribute names work, and for the owner, the connection is the whole point.