Boy · 1166th of 24,088
Coy
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
18,088
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1919
Peak Popularity Year
279
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Coy 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
The name Coy originates from Middle English and means 'quiet' or 'reserved'. It evolved from Old French and has been used in various forms throughout history. The name is characterized by its gentle connotation and has no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century and is seen as unique today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/kɔɪ/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name Coy is derived from the Middle English word 'coi' meaning 'quiet' or 'reserved'. It has roots in the Old French 'coi', which also means 'calm' or 'quiet'.
Meaning
quiet, reserved
Language Evolution
Old French: coi, Middle English: coi, Modern English: coy
Historical Usage
The name Coy gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century, particularly as a given name in the early 1900s.
Variants & Derivatives
Coyle, Koi
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Coy is perceived as unique and carries a gentle, understated charm.
Famous People
Coy Bowles - American musician, Coy Gibbs - American businessman and former NASCAR driver
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 279 peak births in 1919
Geographic Spread
Popular across 35 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
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 7 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 | 394th of 7545 | 3,669 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 414th of 6773 | 3,549 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 630th of 7552 | 2,675 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 796th of 10718 | 1,654 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 974th of 16616 | 1,689 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1166th of 24088 | 2,212 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1405th of 23106 | 1,558 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1875th of 9107 | 353 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2559th of 9204 | 217 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4530th of 12526 | 144 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9267th of 19264 | 55 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16689th of 27321 | 30 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 22968th of 35406 | 27 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |