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Cayce

Pronunciation: [ k-AYS ]

Boy Name #5,791 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A spirited Irish name with deep roots in American folklore

Irish American
Modern Playful Bold Unique

Meaning & Origin

"brave in battle, vigilant"
Origin: Irish Gaelic O Cathasaigh
Language: Irish
"watchful, alert"
Origin: Irish Gaelic cathasach
Language: Irish

The Story of Cayce

Cayce is an alternate spelling of Casey, which derives from the Irish Gaelic surname O Cathasaigh, meaning descendant of Cathasach. Cathasach itself means vigilant or watchful in battle. The name transferred from an Irish clan surname to a given first name in the United States, where it became popular for both boys and girls. The Cayce spelling gives it a distinctive look while keeping the familiar KAY-see pronunciation.

Casey/Cayce gained widespread American popularity in the late 20th century, boosted by cultural touchstones like the folk ballad Casey Jones (1900) and the phrase Casey at the Bat. The name has been given to both boys and girls, making it one of the earlier successful gender-neutral names in American culture.

The name has strong American folklore associations through Casey Jones, the heroic railroad engineer, and Casey at the Bat, Ernest Thayer's 1888 baseball poem. Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), known as the Sleeping Prophet, gave the Cayce spelling historical visibility.

Fun Facts

  • Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) was a famous American clairvoyant known as the Sleeping Prophet, giving the Cayce spelling historical visibility
  • Casey Jones, immortalized in an 1900 folk ballad, was a real railroad engineer celebrated for his bravery
  • Casey is one of the few originally male Irish names that became genuinely popular for girls

Cayce in Other Languages

Irish Cathasach
French Casey
German Casey
Spanish Casey
Australian Casey

Popularity Over Time

#5,791
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1981 Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Cayce

C

Casey Stengel

Athlete

1890

Legendary American baseball manager who led the New York Yankees to five consecutive World Series titles

E

Edgar Cayce

Other

1877

American self-professed clairvoyant known as the Sleeping Prophet, famous for psychic readings given while in a trance s...

American self-professed clairvoyant known as the Sleeping Prophet, famous for psychic readings given while in a trance state

C

Casey Jones

Other

1863

American railroad engineer immortalized in folk song for his heroism during a train collision in 1900

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#5,791
Total SSA Count
16
Cultural Origins
Irish American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Cay

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Sibling Names

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Also a Girl Name

Cayce is also used as a girl name, ranked #23792.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cayce

What does the name Cayce mean?
"brave in battle, vigilant" (from Irish Gaelic O Cathasaigh). "watchful, alert" (from Irish Gaelic cathasach). Cayce is an alternate spelling of Casey, which derives from the Irish Gaelic surname O Cathasaigh, meaning descendant of Cathasach. Cathasach itself means vigilant or watchful in battle. The name transferred from an Irish clan surname to a given first name in the United States, where it became popular for both boys and girls. The Cayce spelling gives it a distinctive look while keeping the familiar KAY-see pronunciation.
What is the origin of the name Cayce?
Cayce has Irish Gaelic O Cathasaigh, Irish Gaelic cathasach, Irish, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic O Cathasaigh, it means "brave in battle, vigilant". In Irish Gaelic cathasach, it means "watchful, alert".
Is Cayce a boy or girl name?
Cayce is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5791. As a girl name, it is ranked #23792. Cayce is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cayce?
Cayce is pronounced k-AYS.
How popular is the name Cayce?
Cayce is currently ranked #5791 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cayce?
Common nicknames for Cayce include Cay.
What are good middle names for Cayce?
Popular middle name pairings include Cayce James, Cayce Lee, Cayce Allen, Cayce Wayne, Cayce Dean, and Cayce Scott.
What are good sibling names for Cayce?
Names that pair well with Cayce as siblings include Brady, Riley, Quinn, Logan, Avery, and Brynn.
How many syllables does Cayce have?
Cayce has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cayce a common or rare name?
Cayce is an uncommon name, ranked #5791 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Cayce

Cayce is a boy name with Irish and American origins . The name means "brave in battle, vigilant" in Irish Gaelic O Cathasaigh .

Is Cayce a boy or girl name? Cayce is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,791 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #23,792. Cayce is more commonly used as a boy name.

Cayce is currently ranked #5,791 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Cayce has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AYS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Cayce include Cay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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