"curly-haired"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
Cassidy
Pronunciation: [ k-AS-ihd-ee ]
Does Cassidy flow with your last name?
A spirited Irish name with Wild West swagger
Irish
American
Playful
Vintage
Western
Classic
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Caiside"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish Gaelic
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The Story of Cassidy
Cassidy derives from the Irish surname Ó Caiside, thought to descend from a clan chief named Caiside — the name possibly related to 'cas' meaning curly or twisted. The name came to North America with Irish immigrants and found especially fertile ground in the American West, where the outlaw Butch Cassidy made it legendary. Today it is used almost exclusively for girls, completing one of the more dramatic surname-to-girls'-name transformations in American naming history.
Cassidy peaked as a girls' name in the early 2000s, riding waves of Western-chic naming and the popularity of friendly names ending in '-y.' The Grateful Dead's song 'Cassidy' (1974) gave it early countercultural credibility, and the name remained in the US Top 100 from 1994 to 2014.
The name carries distinct Western American energy, inseparable from Butch Cassidy's outlaw legend. For Irish-Americans, it also reflects ancestral heritage from County Fermanagh, where the Ó Caiside clan originated. This Celtic-meets-frontier combination makes Cassidy uniquely resonant in American culture.
Historical Record
Cassidy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1969.
Over 60,279 babies have been named Cassidy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cassidy is past its peak , currently ranked #476 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Butch Cassidy (born Robert Leroy Parker) took the surname 'Cassidy' from his cattle-rustling mentor Mike Cassidy
- The Grateful Dead wrote 'Cassidy' in 1974, naming it for a baby born to a friend — it became one of their most beloved songs
- Cassidy was in the US Top 100 girls' names continuously from 1994 to 2014
Cassidy in Other Languages
Irish
Ó Caiside
French
Cassidy
English
Cassidy
Spanish
Casidi
Popularity Over Time
#476
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1999
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cassidy
D
David Cassidy
Musician
1950
American actor and pop singer, star of The Partridge Family
B
Butch Cassidy
Other
1866
American outlaw and leader of the Wild Bunch gang, one of the Old West's most romanticized figures
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Compare Cassidy with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #476
- Total SSA Count
- 646
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cassie
Cass
Cassy
Cici
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Irish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cassidy
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Cassidy is also used as a boy name, ranked #2323.
View Cassidy as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cassidy
What does the name Cassidy mean?
"curly-haired" (from Irish). "descendant of Caiside" (from Old Irish). Cassidy derives from the Irish surname Ó Caiside, thought to descend from a clan chief named Caiside — the name possibly related to 'cas' meaning curly or twisted. The name came to North America with Irish immigrants and found especially fertile ground in the American West, where the outlaw Butch Cassidy made it legendary. Today it is used almost exclusively for girls, completing one of the more dramatic surname-to-girls'-name transformations in American naming history.
What is the origin of the name Cassidy?
Cassidy has Irish, Old Irish, and American origins. In Irish, it means "curly-haired". In Old Irish, it means "descendant of Caiside".
Is Cassidy a boy or girl name?
Cassidy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #476. As a boy name, it is ranked #2323. Cassidy is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cassidy?
Cassidy is pronounced k-AS-ihd-ee.
How popular is the name Cassidy?
Cassidy is currently ranked #476 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cassidy?
Common nicknames for Cassidy include Cassie, Cass, Cassy, and Cici.
What are good middle names for Cassidy?
Popular middle name pairings include Cassidy Rose, Cassidy Ann, Cassidy Jane, Cassidy Renee, Cassidy Elizabeth, Cassidy Marie, and Cassidy Grace.
What are good sibling names for Cassidy?
Names that pair well with Cassidy as siblings include Montana, Savannah, Ryder, Colton, Dakota, Laurel, and Bowen.
How many syllables does Cassidy have?
Cassidy has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Cassidy a common or rare name?
Cassidy is a popular name, ranked #476 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Cassidy?
About the Name Cassidy
Cassidy is a girl name with Irish and American origins . The name means "curly-haired" in Irish .
Is Cassidy a boy or girl name? Cassidy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #476 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,323. Cassidy is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cassidy is currently ranked #476 in popularity for girl 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 Cassie, Cass, Cassy, and Cici. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cassidy include Cassandra, Cassie, Cassandr, Cassia . 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