Cody

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOH-dee /ˈkoʊ.di/High

Meaning: Anglicization of the Irish surname O Cuidighthigh, from 'cuidightheach' meaning helpful or aiding, thus 'descendant of the helpful one'.High

In 30 seconds: Cody is an all-American frontier name, energized by the legend of Buffalo Bill Cody and the wide-open spirit of the American West. Easy to spell and say, it has been a boyhood staple since the 1980s.

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Origin HighIrish Gaelic

MeaningAnglicization of the Irish surname O Cuidighthigh, from 'cuidightheach' meaning helpful or aiding, thus 'descendant of the helpful one'.

U.S. rank (2025)#318 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,076 boys (0.06% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1992

Total births (all-time)≈ 291,993

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Cody originates as an Irish surname, the Anglicization of the Gaelic O Cuidighthigh, meaning 'descendant of the helpful one'. The name became widely known in American culture primarily through William Frederick Cody (1846–1917), known as Buffalo Bill, the famous frontiersman, bison hunter, and showman whose Wild West shows toured the world. The surname subsequently crossed into use as a given name.

As a first name, Cody surged dramatically in American popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, reaching the top 20 boys' names in the United States. This peak coincided with a broader cultural nostalgia for Western Americana. It also appeared extensively on Australian baby name charts during the same era. By the 2000s and 2010s, Cody began a gradual decline from peak rankings but remains a warm, familiar name that evokes friendly, outdoorsy associations.

Did you know? The city of Cody, Wyoming, was founded in 1896 by and named after Buffalo Bill Cody (William Frederick Cody), and it sits at the eastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park — making the name synonymous with the American frontier spirit.

Overall data confidence 88%

MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland — Irish Gaelic origin of Cody surnameSocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity peak and trends

Variations

KodyCodey

Nicknames

Code

Famous Bearers

★William Frederick 'Buffalo Bill' Cody (1846–1917)
American frontiersman and showman who popularized the Wild West globally.

If you like Cody…

Brady— two-syllable Irish surname name with identical rhythm and similar 1990s American peak

Brody— two-syllable Irish surname name ending in -y with the same casual, friendly energy

Colby— two-syllable surname name popular in the same era with a Western American feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cody mean?

Cody means 'helpful one', from the Irish Gaelic O Cuidighthigh, meaning 'descendant of the helpful one'.

How do you pronounce Cody?

Cody is pronounced KOH-dee (/ˈkoʊ.di/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Cody a boy or girl name?

Cody is predominantly a boy's name but occasionally used for girls.

How popular is Cody?

Cody peaked in the US top 20 in the 1990s. It remains in the top 300 today, with a warm, nostalgic feel.