Cody

Pronunciation: [ k-OHD-ee ]

Boy Name #289 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Buffalo Bill's name — the spirit of the American frontier

American Irish Australian

Classic Playful Earthy Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"helpful; assistant; descendant of the helpful one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish/English

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.

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

Famous People Named Cody

Cody Simpson

Musician

1997

Australian pop singer and competitive swimmer

Buffalo Bill (William Frederick Cody)

Entertainer

1846

American folk hero, bison hunter, and showman who created the iconic Buffalo Bill's Wild West show

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

Coda #2442

Common Nicknames

Codes

Pairs Well With

Cody James Cody Lee Cody Ray Cody Allen Cody Wayne Cody Scott Cody Thomas

Sibling Names

Brady Logan Trevor Casey Kylie Kayla Blake Taylor

Also a Girl Name

Cody is also used as a girl name, ranked #4942.

View Cody as a girl name →

Similar Names

Scott Bradley Brady Cole Grady Holt Brodie Colton

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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.