E. Rossoni and P. Durante agree that the surname Gori derives from the medieval personal name Goro, a hypocoristic form of Gregorio. According to Rossoni, both Gori and the related surname Gorini ultimately originate from the surname Gregori, itself derived from the given name Gregorio.

The name Gregorio comes from the Greek Grēgórios, derived from the verb grēgorein, meaning “to be awake” or “to be watchful.” As a result, the original meaning of the name can be interpreted as “vigilant,” “alert,” “quick-minded,” or “intelligent.” The widespread popularity of Saint Gregory the Great and other saints bearing the name contributed significantly to its diffusion throughout medieval Italy.

P. Durante proposes an additional hypothesis, suggesting that in some cases the surname may have a toponymic origin linked to the Greek term khorìon, meaning “village” or “inhabited place.” Under this interpretation, the surname could occasionally have referred to a person's place of origin rather than to a personal name.

Today, Gori is especially associated with central Italy, with its main area of concentration extending across Tuscany, Umbria and lower Romagna. The surname is also present in several northern regions, reflecting its long historical development and diffusion throughout the Italian peninsula.