"descendant of Otto"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Kody
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A frontier spirit with Irish roots and Western swagger
American
Australian
Irish
Playful
Earthy
Modern
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"helpful one"
Origin: Welsh
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the reality TV show Sister Wives (Kody Brown)
The Story of Kody
Kody is an alternate spelling of Cody, which derives from the Irish surname Mac Óda, meaning 'descendant of Otto.' The name traveled to America with Irish immigrants and was popularized by Buffalo Bill Cody — born William Frederick Cody — the legendary Wild West showman. The 'K' spelling emerged in the late 20th century as parents sought to distinguish their choice from the more common spelling.
Cody/Kody peaked in the US in the early 1990s, riding a wave of Western-themed names popular during that era. The name benefited from the country music boom and cowboy culture nostalgia, but has declined since 2000.
In American culture, Cody is strongly associated with the frontier spirit and Western mythology, largely due to Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West shows that toured globally in the late 1800s. The city of Cody, Wyoming is named after him.
Historical Record
Kody first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 23,556 babies have been named Kody in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kody is past its peak , currently ranked #1,100 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show toured internationally, making the name known worldwide
- Cody, Wyoming is named after the famous showman
- The alternate 'K' spelling became popular in the 1980s-90s with the trend for distinctive spellings
Kody in Other Languages
French
Cody
German
Cody
Italian
Cody
Spanish
Cody
Portuguese
Cody
Popularity Over Time
#1,100
Current Rank
Peaked 1993
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kody
C
Cody Simpson
Musician
1997
Australian singer and swimmer who rose to fame as a teenage pop star
C
Cody Rhodes
Athlete
1985
American professional wrestler who won the WWE Championship in 2024
B
Buffalo Bill Cody
Other
1846
American showman, soldier, and bison hunter who popularized the Wild West show internationally
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,100
- Total SSA Count
- 195
- Cultural Origins
- American Australian Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kod
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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 2-1 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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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kody
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kody is also used as a girl name, ranked #6171.
View Kody as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kody
What does the name Kody mean?
"descendant of Otto" (from Irish Gaelic). "helpful one" (from Welsh). Kody is an alternate spelling of Cody, which derives from the Irish surname Mac Óda, meaning 'descendant of Otto.' The name traveled to America with Irish immigrants and was popularized by Buffalo Bill Cody — born William Frederick Cody — the legendary Wild West showman. The 'K' spelling emerged in the late 20th century as parents sought to distinguish their choice from the more common spelling.
What is the origin of the name Kody?
Kody has Irish Gaelic, Welsh, American, Australian, and Irish origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of Otto". In Welsh, it means "helpful one".
Is Kody a boy or girl name?
Kody is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1100. As a girl name, it is ranked #6171. Kody is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kody?
Kody is currently ranked #1100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kody?
Common nicknames for Kody include Kod.
What are good middle names for Kody?
Popular middle name pairings include Kody James, Kody Lee, Kody Ray, Kody Allen, Kody Michael, Kody Wayne, and Kody Dean.
What are good sibling names for Kody?
Names that pair well with Kody as siblings include Tyler, Brady, Kayla, Brooke, Chase, Logan, and Haley.
How many syllables does Kody have?
Kody has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kody a common or rare name?
Kody is an uncommon name, ranked #1100 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kody?
About the Name Kody
Kody is a boy name with American, Australian, and Irish origins . The name means "descendant of Otto" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Kody a boy or girl name? Kody is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,100 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,171. Kody is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kody is currently ranked #1,100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kody has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kody include Kod. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kody include Koda, Kodi, Kodah, Kodiak . 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