"curly-haired"
Cassidy
Pronunciation: [ k-AS-ihd-ee ]
A spirited Irish name with outlaw swagger
Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Caiside"
The Story of Cassidy
Cassidy is an anglicized form of the Irish surname O Caiside, meaning descendant of Caiside. The personal name Caiside may derive from the Old Irish cas meaning curly-haired, making Cassidy a name that literally means curly-haired one. The O'Cassidy clan was prominent in County Fermanagh in Ulster. As a given name for boys, Cassidy has a natural association with the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy.
Cassidy was used as a unisex name in the 1970s-80s, popularized partly by the song Cassidy by the Grateful Dead (1972). For boys, the Butch Cassidy connection maintains its appeal among parents who love western American history and outlaw mythology.
The legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker) made this name synonymous with American frontier mythology. The 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid further cemented its cultural resonance.
Fun Facts
- Butch Cassidy (1866-1908) was a famous American outlaw and leader of the Wild Bunch gang
- The Grateful Dead song Cassidy (1972) is named after a baby born on a tour bus
Cassidy in Other Languages
Famous People Named Cassidy
David Cassidy
Musician
1950
American teen idol and actor famous for The Partridge Family
Butch Cassidy
Other
1866
Legendary American outlaw and leader of the Wild Bunch gang
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,323
- Total SSA Count
- 61
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Cassidy is also used as a girl name, ranked #476.
View Cassidy as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cassidy
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About the Name Cassidy
Cassidy is a boy name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "curly-haired" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Cassidy a boy or girl name? Cassidy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,323 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #476. Cassidy is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cassidy is currently ranked #2,323 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cassidy has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-AS-ihd-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Cassidy include Cass, Cas, and Sid. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cassidy include Cassius, Cassian, Cassiel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.