"helpful, descendant of the helpful one"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Cody
Pronunciation: [ k-OHD-ee ]
Does Cody flow with your last name?
A spirited unisex name with Wild West roots
American
Irish
English
Australian
Playful
Modern
Bold
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Cody
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"cushion, pillow"
Origin: English surname origin theory
Language: English
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The Story of Cody
Cody is an anglicization of the Irish surname O Cuidighthigh, meaning descendant of Cuidightheach, where the original name meant helpful one. As a first name it also connects to Buffalo Bill Cody (William Frederick Cody), whose surname became a popular first name in America celebrating frontier spirit. Originally a male name, Cody has become fully gender-neutral in modern American usage.
Cody peaked for boys in the US in the 1990s, ranking in the top 25. Its use for girls grew through the 1990s and 2000s as parents embraced gender-neutral cowboy-adjacent names. The spelling Kody also appears frequently for both sexes.
In America, Cody carries strong associations with the Wild West through Buffalo Bill Cody, who was one of the most famous Americans of the late 19th century. The name evokes frontier independence and cowboy culture.
Historical Record
Cody first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,098 babies have been named Cody in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cody is past its peak , currently ranked #4,942 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Buffalo Bill Cody was one of the most famous people in the world in the 1880s and 1890s
- Cody, Wyoming is named after Buffalo Bill Cody
- Cody became one of the first truly unisex names in America in the 1990s
Cody in Other Languages
Irish
O Cuidighthigh
French
Cody
German
Cody
Spanish
Cody
Popularity Over Time
#4,942
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1988
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,942
- Total SSA Count
- 27
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Code
Codes
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cody
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Cody is also used as a boy name, ranked #289.
View Cody as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cody
What does the name Cody mean?
"helpful, descendant of the helpful one" (from Irish Gaelic). "cushion, pillow" (from English surname origin theory). Cody is an anglicization of the Irish surname O Cuidighthigh, meaning descendant of Cuidightheach, where the original name meant helpful one. As a first name it also connects to Buffalo Bill Cody (William Frederick Cody), whose surname became a popular first name in America celebrating frontier spirit. Originally a male name, Cody has become fully gender-neutral in modern American usage.
What is the origin of the name Cody?
Cody has Irish Gaelic, English surname origin theory, American, Irish, English, and Australian origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "helpful, descendant of the helpful one". In English surname origin theory, it means "cushion, pillow".
Is Cody a boy or girl name?
Cody is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4942. As a boy name, it is ranked #289. Cody is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cody?
Cody is pronounced k-OHD-ee.
How popular is the name Cody?
Cody is currently ranked #4942 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cody?
Common nicknames for Cody include Code and Codes.
What are good middle names for Cody?
Popular middle name pairings include Cody Lynn, Cody Mae, Cody Jo, Cody Grace, and Cody Renee.
What are good sibling names for Cody?
Names that pair well with Cody as siblings include Riley, Peyton, Jordan, Bailey, Logan, and Casey.
How many syllables does Cody have?
Cody has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cody a common or rare name?
Cody is an uncommon name, ranked #4942 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Cody?
About the Name Cody
Cody is a girl name with American, Irish, English, and Australian origins . The name means "helpful, descendant of the helpful one" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Cody a boy or girl name? Cody is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,942 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #289. Cody is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cody is currently ranked #4,942 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cody has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHD-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cody include Code and Codes. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cody include Codi, Codie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis