Girl · 110th of 27,321
Casey
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
193,458
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1987
Peak Popularity Year
7,508
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Casey stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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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
Compare 32 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |