The baby name Cody sounds like a nickname, but it has been a standalone name for decades. It began as a modern surname in Ireland and England and became a popular first name in the twentieth century. Now, the name Cody is a top 300 option for boys.
Meaning of the name Cody:
English: helpful, pillow
Origin of the name Cody:
Cody began as a surname in Ireland and England. It came from the Irish surname O Cuidighthigh. This original surname came from the meaning “descendent of Cuidightheach.”
Symbolism of the name Cody:
The name Cuidightheach that the surname o Cuidighthigh comes from also means “helpful” and “pillow.” Though it is a historical origin, Cody does still retain the meaning of this ancient Gaelic name.

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Style of the name Cody:
Modern
Gender of the name Cody:
Cody can be used for boys or girls.
Pronunciation of the name Cody:
KO-dee
Number of syllables in the name Cody:
Two
Emotion evoked from the name Cody:
Cody feels young and exciting. It is a strong name that has rugged energy too.
Alternative spellings for the name Cody:
Nicknames for the name Cody:
- Co
- Coco
- Codester
- Code
- Odie
- Ody
Popularity of the name Cody:
The baby name Cody was put on the top 1,000 list in 1951 at number 951. In 1982, it became a top 100 name, even reaching top 25 status from 1991 to 1994, until 2005. Up until 2012, it remained a top 200 name, but in 2020, the name ranks at number 297 overall.
Related names for the name Cody:
Great middle names for Cody and their meanings:
- Jefferson (son of Jeffrey)
- Ansel (follower of a nobleman)
- Samuel (God has heard)
- Theodore (God's gift)
- Evangeline (good news)
- Victoria (victory)
- Genevieve (woman of the race)
- Anastasia (resurrection)
Famous people with the name Cody:
- Cody Linley (actor, “Hoot”)
- Cody Simpson (singer, “Home to Mama”)
- Cody Ross (MLB player)
- Cody Carson (singer of band Set It Off)
- Cody Asche (MLB player)
- Cody Saintgnue (actor, “Teen Wolf”)
- Cody Hay (professional pair skater)
Codys in popular culture:
- Cody(main character from “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”)
- Cody Nicholson (character from “True Romance”)
- Cody Parker (character from “American Gothic”)
- Cody Banks (character from “Agent Cody Banks”)
- Cody (character from “The Clone Wars”)
- Cody Hackins (character in “Ace Attorney” video game)