Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Casey is an Irish name derived from the surname O'Cathasaigh, meaning 'vigilant' or 'watchful'. It has evolved from historical forms like O'Cathasaigh and Cathasach to its modern form. The name has gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the U.S., and is viewed positively as a friendly name. It lacks biblical connections and has several variants, including Kacey and Kasey. Notable people with this name include Casey Affleck and Casey Kasem.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪsi/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Casey is derived from the Irish surname O'Cathasaigh, which means 'descendant of Cathasach'. The name Cathasach itself means 'vigilant' or 'watchful'.
Meaning
vigilant, watchful
Language Evolution
O'Cathasaigh, Cathasach, Casey
Historical Usage
The name Casey has gained popularity as both a given name and surname in English-speaking countries since the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Kacey, Kasey, Casi
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Casey is perceived as a modern, friendly, and approachable name. It is commonly used for both males and females.
Famous People
Casey Affleck, Casey Kasem, Casey Stengel
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,508 peak births in 1987
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Wyoming
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (32 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 32 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 959th of 7545 | 816 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1242nd of 6773 | 567 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 464th of 7552 | 4,975 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 172nd of 10718 | 24,940 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 96th of 16616 | 55,885 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 264th of 24088 | 20,289 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 450th of 23106 | 8,061 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6926th of 9204 | 18 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1605th of 12526 | 808 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 342nd of 19264 | 11,431 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 110th of 27321 | 45,546 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 307th of 35406 | 16,525 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 919th of 30306 | 3,531 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
58.69% 831st/1416 |
80.13% 1105th/1379 |
41.93% 992nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
70.70% 1093rd/1546 |
- |
65.28% 1536th/2353 |
57.01% 882nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
18.28% 407th/2227 |
25.93% 630th/2430 |
21.52% 614th/2853 |
10.99% 305th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
5.31% 156th/2937 |
7.38% 257th/3483 |
5.09% 179th/3518 |
3.14% 127th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.42% 89th/3685 |
2.66% 119th/4475 |
1.71% 89th/5194 |
1.52% 96th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
5.06% 232nd/4582 |
4.47% 231st/5164 |
3.84% 281st/7313 |
3.67% 274th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
11.02% 439th/3984 |
8.56% 384th/4487 |
7.45% 508th/6822 |
7.03% 441st/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
78.49% 1748th/2227 |
67.00% 1628th/2430 |
65.30% 1863rd/2853 |
34.13% 947th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
11.71% 344th/2937 |
12.49% 435th/3483 |
8.10% 285th/3518 |
8.95% 362nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
3.12% 115th/3685 |
2.28% 102nd/4475 |
1.66% 86th/5194 |
2.85% 180th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
7.75% 355th/4582 |
3.41% 176th/5164 |
4.09% 299th/7313 |
6.46% 482nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
29.52% 1176th/3984 |
13.86% 622nd/4487 |
14.17% 967th/6822 |
15.18% 953rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Wyoming across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 959th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1242nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 464th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 172nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 96th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 264th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 450th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7989th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6926th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1605th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 342nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 110th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 307th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 919th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.