Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cody
BoyIrish, English· “from an Irish surname”
- Meaning
- from an Irish surname
- Origin
- Irish, English
- Pronunciation
- KOH-dee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #318
- US babies 2025
- 1,076
- Best rank
- #24 (1991)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Cody
Cody is an Irish and English name that is usually said to mean “from an Irish surname”.
Cody comes from an Irish surname, an anglicized form of Mac Óda, "son of Óda," or of other Gaelic names whose meanings are uncertain. The explanation "helpful" is sometimes given, but it is not well established. In the United States, Cody is strongly linked to William F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, whose Wild West shows made him a celebrity, and the town of Cody, Wyoming, is named after him. The name had its peak in the late twentieth century and still has a friendly, rugged, western feel. Codey and Kody are spelling variants.
Popularity over time
Cody first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 79 different years, starting in 1884. Its best national rank was #24 in 1991, and the most babies received it in 1992, when 19,876 were named Cody. In 2025, 1,076 babies were named Cody, and it ranked #318 nationally. That is 33% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,550 in 1920, #1,087 in 1950, #143 in 1980, #60 in 2000, #157 in 2010, and #318 in 2025. Of the 292,009 US boys named Cody since records began, 50% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 60,289 babies. Since 2010, 23,564 more have been named Cody.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Alexander, Zachary, Brandon, and Alex.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cody ranked highest in Wyoming, Idaho, and North Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #98 | 5 |
| Idaho | #146 | 19 |
| North Dakota | #203 | 6 |
| Utah | #207 | 26 |
| Rhode Island | #207 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Cody over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Cody is usually pronounced KOH-dee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-dy”.
Middle names for Cody
A few middle names that flow with Cody: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cody
Similar names
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Lists that include Cody
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cody mean?
Cody is an Irish and English name that is usually said to mean “from an Irish surname”.
What is the origin of the name Cody?
Cody has Irish and English roots. Cody comes from an Irish surname, an anglicized form of Mac Óda, "son of Óda," or of other Gaelic names whose meanings are uncertain.
Is Cody a popular name?
Yes. Cody ranked #318 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Cody a boy or girl name?
Cody is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Cody over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Cody?
Cody is usually pronounced KOH-dee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings