"helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish/English
Cody
Pronunciation: [ k-OHD-ee ]
Does Cody flow with your last name?
Buffalo Bill's name — the spirit of the American frontier
American
Irish
Australian
Classic
Playful
Earthy
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Cody
Cody is the Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname O Cuidighthigh, meaning descendant of Cuidightheach, where cuidightheach means helpful or assistant. The name arrived in the US primarily through Irish immigration and became widely used as a given name in the American West, strongly associated with Buffalo Bill Cody, who embodied the frontier spirit.
Cody peaked in the US in the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly popular in rural and Southern states with an affinity for cowboy culture. It was a top-100 name from 1977 to 2006. The Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody kept it familiar to a generation in the 2000s.
William Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917) made the name synonymous with the American frontier and the mythology of the West. His Wild West shows toured Europe and performed for Queen Victoria, spreading American frontier culture worldwide. Cody, Wyoming — a town he founded in 1896 — keeps his legacy alive.
Historical Record
Cody first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 290,055 babies have been named Cody in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cody is past its peak , currently ranked #289 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show performed for Queen Victoria in 1887
- Cody, Wyoming, was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896 and now hosts the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Cody in Other Languages
Irish
O Cuidighthigh (surname)
French
Cody
German
Cody
English
Cody
Spanish
Cody
Popularity Over Time
#289
Current Rank
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cody
C
Cody Simpson
Musician
1997
Australian pop singer and competitive swimmer
B
Buffalo Bill (William Frederick Cody)
Entertainer
1846
American folk hero, bison hunter, and showman who created the iconic Buffalo Bill's Wild West show
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #289
- Total SSA Count
- 1,161
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
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, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cody
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cody is also used as a girl name, ranked #4942.
View Cody as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cody
What does the name Cody mean?
"helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one" (from Irish Gaelic). Cody is the Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname O Cuidighthigh, meaning descendant of Cuidightheach, where cuidightheach means helpful or assistant. The name arrived in the US primarily through Irish immigration and became widely used as a given name in the American West, strongly associated with Buffalo Bill Cody, who embodied the frontier spirit.
What is the origin of the name Cody?
Cody has Irish Gaelic, American, Irish, and Australian origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one".
Is Cody a boy or girl name?
Cody is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #289. As a girl name, it is ranked #4942. 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 #289 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cody?
Common nicknames for Cody include Codes.
What are good middle names for Cody?
Popular middle name pairings include Cody James, Cody Lee, Cody Ray, Cody Allen, Cody Wayne, Cody Scott, and Cody Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Cody?
Names that pair well with Cody as siblings include Brady, Logan, Trevor, Casey, Kylie, Kayla, Blake, and Taylor.
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 a popular name, ranked #289 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Cody?
Are there other spellings for Cody?
Related spellings include Coda.
About the Name Cody
Cody is a boy name with American, Irish, and Australian origins . The name means "helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Cody a boy or girl name? Cody is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #289 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,942. Cody is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cody is currently ranked #289 in popularity for boy 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 Codes. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cody include Coda . 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